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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Development of a Multi-Organism and Multi-Level Biomarker System for Biomonitoring of Marine Ecosystem Health

(
Government
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#OceanAction41539
    Description
    Description
    The application of ecotoxicological tools in environmental monitoring has proven to be successful in Singapore. Ecotoxicology biomarkers are potentially useful as early warning systems of environmental degradation. However, with more frequent occurrences of catastrophic events like massive plankton blooms and fish deaths in aquaculture facilities from climate change events, a focus on environmental health that includes monitoring the health of all components of the marine ecosystem becomes essential.

    This research project expands on the range of test organisms used by including all trophic levels of the marine food web, from primary producers to secondary consumers, as well as to optimise bioassay techniques for a suite of representative test organisms native to Singapore shores.
    Partners
    Singapore (government)
    Nature
    Research project

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
    To refine and improve the application of existing biomarkers at the molecular, biochemical, cellular and physiological organismal levels for field application.
    To explore the use of biomarkers in other organisms, at all trophic levels of Singapores natural marine food chains
    To expand on the application of these bio-monitoring methods to schools in Singapore, and its integration as a comprehensive Citizen Science programme. Citizen scientists from schools will contribute in data collection.
    Other, please specify
    Scientific research
    Title Progress Status Submitted
    Partnership Progress 2021-01-14 Completed
    False
    Action Network
    Small Island Developing States
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    Timeline
    01 January 2019 (start date)
    01 January 2019 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Singapore
    SDGs
    Ocean Basins
    North Pacific
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine and coastal ecosystems management
    Website/More information
    N/A
    Countries
    N/A
    Contact Information

    Nathaniel Khng, Counsellor (Legal), Permanent Mission of the Republic of Singapore to the United Nations in New York