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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Science for deep-ocean sustainability

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Scientific community
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#OceanAction40756
    Description
    Description
    The Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) is a union of experts from across disciplines and sectors formed to develop new ideas for sustainable use and management of deep-ocean ecosystems, and strategies to maintain their integrity within and beyond national jurisdiction. The Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS) is a Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) project focused on creating and implementing a collective statement of requirements and an initial strategy for sustained global deep-ocean observations for the next 10-50 years, in service of societal challenges. The International Network for Scientific Investigation of Deep-Sea Ecosystems (INDEEP) is a global collaborative scientific network dedicated to the acquisition of data, synthesis of knowledge, and communication of findings on the biology and ecology of our global deep ocean, in order to inform its management and ensure its long-term health.

    DOSI, DOOS, and INDEEP will work to build global scientific capacity to address SDG 14 targets as they relate to the deep ocean (> 200 m). Through our partnership network of more than 1,000 deep-sea scientists and other stakeholders, DOSI, INDEEP and DOOS will coordinate cross-disciplinary integration to increase scientific knowledge, develop skills and harness technology to address current and expected human impacts including those related to climate change. We will work to advance understanding of deep-ocean ecosystems within and beyond national jurisdictions in order to facilitate the achievement of SDG Targets 14.2, 14.3, 14.5, 14.7, 14.a and 14.c .

    DOSI, DOOS and INDEEP will:
    1. Promote open access to essential deep ocean observations (physics, biogeochemistry, biology and ecosystems) and freedom of marine scientific research to enable understanding of baseline conditions in the deep ocean and inform ecosystem-based management and spatial planning through space and time;
    2. Encourage free and open scientific inquiry into the cumulative effects of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change combined with other human-induced stressors in the deep ocean;
    3. Liaise between research programs, national agencies, international organizations and other stakeholders to share scientific research, communicate data and offer expertise that can inform actions to address current and projected threats to the deep ocean, within and beyond national jurisdiction;
    Partners
    Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (Scientific community), Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (Scientific community), International Network for Scientific Investigation of Deep-Sea Ecosystems (Scientific Community)

    Goal 13

    Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

    Goal 13

    13.1

    Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

    13.1.1

    Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

    13.1.2

    Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

    13.1.3

    Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies

    13.2

    Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

    13.2.1

    Number of countries with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

    13.2.2

    Total greenhouse gas emissions per year

    13.3

    Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

    13.3.1

    Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

    13.a

    Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible

    13.a.1

    Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment through to 2025

    13.b

    Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities


     

    13.b.1

    Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

    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
    14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all 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
    14.7 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.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"
    DOSI, DOOS and INDEEP will provide contributions to the 2nd World Ocean Assessment in areas linked to SDG 14 via expert scientific input as requested.
    To support SDG targets 14.2, 14.5, 14.a and 14.c DOSI will, by 2020, provide deep-sea scientific input (including on issues of marine genetic resources, area-based management, environmental impact assessments, and capacity building and transfer of marine technology) to contribute to the development of an international legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. To support SDG targets 14.2, 14.7 and 14.c, the DOSI Minerals Working Group, will, by 2020, contribute expert advice to: (i) the International Seabed Authority regarding the development and implementation of regulations for the exploitation of deep-seabed mining activities in the Area; and (ii) upon request, to Small Island Developing States and Least Developed States engaged in, or considering, development of seabed mineral resources. To promote the achievement of SDG targets 14.2, 14.4 14.5 and 14.c, the DOSI Fisheries Working Group will contribute to: (i) the development and/or review of the scientific basis for deep-sea fisheries regulations, including environmental impact assessments, to prevent significant adverse impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems; and (ii) the UN General Assembly review of the implementation of the deep-sea fisheries resolutions in 2020, consistent with SDG target 14.2.
    In support of SDG target 14.a DOOS will, by 2025, work with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, DOSI and INDEEP to : (a) facilitate monitoring of the status and health of the deep ocean and its biodiversity by: (i) contributing to the definition of essential ocean variables (EOVs); (ii) facilitating development of new deep-ocean observing technologies; (iii) building stable, long-term support for deep-ocean observing; and (iv) supporting coordination of existing deep-ocean observing programs across regions and disciplines, and (b) enhance deep-ocean data accessibility globally to expand scientific and technical capacity for managing deep-ocean ecosystems among Small Island Developing States and least developed countries by 2025.
    To promote the achievement of SDG 14.3 and 14.c, the DOSI Climate Working Group will work to understand and address the impacts of ocean acidification and related climate impacts of warming, ocean deoxygenation, organic carbon flux and changing circulation in the deep ocean by 2025 by: (i) assembling scientists to synthesize best-available scientific knowledge on climate impacts on deep-ocean ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide and develop new knowledge to improve assessment of these impacts, (ii) raising awareness in relevant international fora of the roles of the deep ocean in climate mitigation and adaptation, and (iii) informing the development of adaptation strategies and designing monitoring actions to optimize their efficiency.
    In-kind contribution
    Coordination of experts to address key sustainability issues
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Scientific expertise will be provided by a community of deep ocean experts
    Title Progress Status Submitted
    Partnership Progress 2021-03-31 On track
    Partnership Progress 2021-03-31 On track
    Partnership Progress 2020-02-13 On track
    Partnership Progress 2020-02-13 On track
    Partnership Progress 2020-02-13 On track
    Partnership Progress 2018-07-06 On track
    Partnership Progress 2018-07-06 On track
    Partnership Progress 2018-07-06 On track
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    Timeline
    30 June 2017 (start date)
    30 June 2025 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    La Jolla, California, USA
    Other beneficiaries
    Global beneficiaries
    Ocean Basins
    Global
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Ocean acidification, Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Sustainable fisheries, Sustainable blue economy, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology, Implementation of international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
    More information
    Countries
    N/A
    Contact Information

    Lisa Levin , Professor