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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Expanding and Strengthening Marine Protected Areas for a Connected and Resilient Ocean

ZERO – Association for the Sustainability of the Earth System (NGO); Último Recurso (NGO) (
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#OceanAction58114
    Description
    Description

    We commit to the expansion and enhanced management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) globally, focusing on strengthening the effectiveness and connectivity of existing MPAs. This includes ensuring the establishment of strictly protected zones, free from extractive activities, as part of the broader 30x30 ocean protection goal. Our commitment aims to promote cooperation between governments, local communities, and scientific institutions to ensure the long-term conservation of marine biodiversity. This will contribute to both ocean resilience and sustainable blue economy practices, fostering a healthy, functioning ocean that benefits ecosystems and human communities alike.

    Partners

    ZERO – Association for the Sustainability of the Earth System (NGO)
    ZERO is a Portuguese environmental NGO working to influence public policies and promote sustainable solutions across climate, energy, mobility, biodiversity, and ocean governance. In the context of this commitment, ZERO contributes with its experience in marine conservation advocacy, particularly on issues such as MPAs.

    Último Recurso (NGO)
    Último Recurso is an independent, non-partisan Portuguese NGO founded in 2022. Its mission is to use legal tools to hold major contributors to the climate crisis accountable. It promotes inter-cooperation and civic engagement as essential strategies to ensure environmental justice. Within this commitment, UR brings legal and civic advocacy expertise to strengthen accountability mechanisms for ocean protection goals.

    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
    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
    14.5 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
    14.6 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.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"
    Expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), with a focus on strictly protected areas (no-take zones), by 2030.
    Collaborative frameworks and partnerships for the effective management of existing MPAs and the establishment of new ones.
    High-level dialogue between stakeholders (governments, scientific communities, local communities) resulting in concrete actions and implementation strategies for achieving 30x30 protection targets.
    Joint open letter to the government and public call for the ratification of the High Seas Treaty.
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Contributions from the organizing entities, specifically ZERO’s extensive experience in environmental public policy and Último Recurso’s legal expertise in environmental law, ensuring effective implementation and strategic advocacy for ocean protection.
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Entity
    ZERO – Association for the Sustainability of the Earth System (NGO); Último Recurso (NGO)
    SDGs
    Other beneficiaries
    Coastal communities, small-scale fishers, marine tourism operators, scientific institutions, marine conservation practitioners, youth and educators, civil society organizations, and decision-makers at national and EU level.
    Ocean Basins
    Global
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Sustainable fisheries, Marine pollution, Sustainable blue economy
    Website/More information
    N/A
    Countries
    Portugal
    Portugal
    Headquarters
    Lisbon, Portugal
    Contact Information