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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Monitoring and early warning coral reefs in key areas

South China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources (
Government
)
#OceanAction48131
    Description
    Description
    1. Objectives Coral reefs are the most outstanding and typical marine ecosystem across tropical and sub-tropical oceans, renowned for their rich biodiversity and high productivity. They provide economic value and ecological functions in terms of coastal protection, fishing, tourism, recreation and pharmaceuticals’ discovery from the sea. Coral cover has been declining world widely for decades owing to climate change, outbreak of harmful organisms, over-harvesting, pollution, and disease, no coral reefs remain in a pristine state. Monitoring, early warning, repairing and governance activities have been taken to protect coral reefs ecosystem from degradation. 2. Implementation methodologies Based on the results of previous survey, several areas with concentrated coral reefs have been selected to implement successive monitoring and early warning plan, which include corals, biotic community, environmental factors and anthropogenic activities. Assessment reports and protection suggestion of the coral reefs’ health condition will be given regularly. Coral reef restoration were also implemented in some areas along with coastal construction projects according to assessment criteria. Meanwhile, basic biology, ecology and new technology researches are encouraged, especially focusing on harmful organism explosion, coral bleaching, sexual multiplication, recovery of resilience and et al. 3. Follow-up mechanisms and Governance Most of coral reefs have been classified into the red line of ecology, in which human activities are severely restricted. At present, sea reclamation is strictly prohibited except the national major projects. More stringent supervision will be implemented during coastal construction projects.
    Partners

    South China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources (Government)

    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
    Report of National Coral Reef Ecological Status Survey and Assessment.
    Other, please specify
    None
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Entity
    South China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources
    SDGs
    Other beneficiaries
    The residents around the coral reefs.
    Ocean Basins
    North Pacific
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Coral reefs
    Website/More information
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    Countries
    China
    China
    Contact Information

    Lingling, Deputy director general