Protecting, conserving and restoring whale populations in the Pacific islands
(
Intergovernmental organization
)
#OceanAction40880
Description
A partnership between SPREP, governments of Pacific Island Countries and Territories and other governments in the Pacific region, IGOs, NGOs, and stakeholders in the private sector to promote the conservation of whales in the Pacific islands region to restore depleted whale populations, and improve the livelihoods of Pacific islands people.
Rationale:
The populations of large whales in the Pacific region were severely depleted by commercial whaling operations last century. Although populations are slowly recovering, they are now under stress from a number of threats, including risks from:
Ingestion of, or entanglement in, marine debris, including discarded fishing gear
Noise, including from low-frequency active sonars, seismic surveys
By-catch in fishing operations
Climate change
Poorly-managed whale watching operations.
The Pacific islands is an acknowledged global leader in the establishment of whale sanctuaries, with over 12 million sq km of Pacific islands EEZs designated as whale sanctuaries. This commitment will engender new levels of commitment by governments and other stakeholders, and new partnerships to enhance the conservation of whales in the region, through a five-year management plan that will maximise the level of protection available to whales across the Pacific islands region (which containsover 10% of the planets oceans).
Objectives:
To improve global awareness of the Pacific islands achievements in establishing whale sanctuaries over vast areas of ocean
To increase collaboration between governments and other stakeholders to exchange traditional knowledge, lessons learned and scientific information on the conservation and management of whales in the Pacific islands
To promote better monitoring of the status and trends of whale populations in the Pacific islands and to involve local communities through participatory monitoring
To promote best practice whale and dolphin watching and whale and dolphin-based tourism across the region and to promote the involvement of Ministries of Tourism or National Tourism Authorities, private sector and local communities in these activities
To support measures which limit the discharge or dumping of fishing gear and other sources of marine debris into the ocean in the Pacific islands, including from land-based sources
To improve the awareness of fishermen and local communities of the potential impact of marine debris on marine life and in particular cetaceans
To promote research into the impacts of climate change on whale populations in the Pacific islands
To generate new funding opportunities and commitments to support the conservation of whales in the Pacific islands.
Implementation Methodologies and Governance:
Implementing entity: SPREP, responsible for project management.
Executing entity: Governments of individual Pacific island countries and territories
Oversight body: A board, chaired by SPREP, with membership from all partners, to review implementation and provide strategic guidance.
Government of Samoa
Government of French Polynesia
Government of the Cook Islands
Government of Papua New Guinea
Government of New Zealand
Government of Australia
South Pacific Tourism Organisation
UNEP
International Whaling Commission
Non-governmental organisations:
World Animal Protection (Global Ghost Gear Initiative)
Blue Climate Solutions
GRID-Arendal
The Ocean Foundation
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Forest&Bird (New Zealand)
Wildlife Conservation Society
South Pacific Whale Research Consortium
Conservation International
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 |
|---|---|
| 14.1 | By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
| 14.2 | 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 |
| 14.5 | 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 |
| 14.7 | 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.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.b | Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets |
| 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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Michael Donoghue, Mr