Scaling up the Marine Conservation fund launched on October 2015-Improving marine scientific research and safeguarding marine resources of the Maldives through sustainable harvest
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Government
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#OceanAction41309
Description
Coral reefs are the physical basis and the predominant ecosystem of the Maldives. Healthy coral reefs are fundamental for the sustainable development of the Maldives in terms of food security, island protection and a range of other important ecosystem services. Developmental projects, increased fishing pressure and climate change are causing changes in the ocean hydrodynamics and coral reef health, and even leading to loss of important marine habitats.
The increased demand for reef resources created by the thriving tourism industry and the overseas market and the subsequent increase in fishing effort is causing great impacts to our reef resources, especially species vulnerable to overfishing.
Mindful of the anthropogenic and climate change implications for the oceans and marine ecosystems and resources, the importance of building climate change resilience and adaptation, and the immediate need to safeguard its marine resources from overfishing, development and climate change impacts, Maldives commits to scaling up the Marine Conservation Fund (MCF) launched in October 2015. The MCF was initially set up to support projects to conserve Endangered, Threatened and Protected marine species (ETPs) particularly marine turtles. Following the scaling up of the fund,
Maldives aims to broaden the scope of the Marine Conservation fund to incorporate sustainable exploitation of fishery resources, promote marine scientific research in the Maldives and support projects for the research and conservation of coral reef ecosystems. Donations received by the Fund will be utilised to support conservation and management efforts in four key areas:
- Strengthen conservation of marine turtles
- Promote sustainable utilization of marine resources in the fisheries and advocating best practices in fisheries through implementation of ecosystem based approaches.
- Promote marine scientific research in the Maldives
- Strengthen the National Coral Reef Monitoring Framework (NCRMF)
Marine Research Centre (Government)
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 |
|---|---|
| 14.2 | 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 |
| 14.7 | 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 |
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Contact Information
Hussain Sinan , Permanent Secretary