Pacific Maritime Boundaries Project
(
Government
)
#OceanAction41075
Description
- Support to the Pacific Community (SPC) and PICs to finalise outstanding Pacific maritime boundaries and limits; and
- Establish an administrative infrastructure and capability required for boundary dissemination and which also supports the efficient use of marine space and the resolution of conflicts between users.
Geoscience Australia will lead the implementation of the project in partnership with the Australian Attorney General's Department, SPC and Sydney University (with GRID Arendal, a foundation established jointly by UNEP and the Norwegian Government).
Secure maritime boundaries lay the foundation for clear zone-based rights, underpinning economic development opportunities. They are essential for the effective management and enforcement of fisheries within coastal states exclusive economic zones and on the high seas. They better enable states to meet their environmental management responsibilities and strengthen border security. Secure boundaries also bring greater certainty to the commercial investment environment.
For these reasons, settling maritime rights and responsibilities has been identified as a high priority by Pacific Leaders. It was identified as Strategic Priority 1 by Pacific Island Forum Leaders in the regions Framework for a Pacific Oceanscape (FPO), and supports the actions under FPO Strategic Priority 3 (Sustainable development, management and conservation). It was recently affirmed as a key priority for Leaders at the Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the UN Ocean Conference in March 2017 and at the Officials meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee in May 2017.
This project will build on successful work led by the project partners since 2011 which has assisted PICs to settle 15 maritime boundaries and modernise maritime zones legislation. This new funding will focus on the remaining outstanding boundaries through technical geospatial and legal assistance, and providing independent support for effective boundary negotiations and legislative drafting. The project will also work with SPC to enhance regional systems for the capture, storage and public use of authoritative maritime boundary and other marine regulatory information.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
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
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
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
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
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
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 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.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" |
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Contact Information
Liz Brierley, Pacific Fisheries and Oceans Specialist, Fisheries and Environment Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade