Seeing Blue: Youth Vision for the Ocean
Port Louis Hub of the Global Shapers Community
#SDGAction40026
Description
Key Milestones and Project Outcomes to Date:The first step was a competition targeting young people from 13 to 30, asking them to reflect on their impact on the ocean. The competition closed on 15 June 2014 and gathered over 50 entries in diverse formats (art/essays).On 28 June 2014 we organised an interactive dialogue with key stakeholders of the marine environment including the private sector to brainstorm solutions on ocean matters, and the way ahead for the Young Ocean Champions, the winners.The next step will be the dive initiation and a visit to Nauticaz, the marine lab, to introduce the Young Ocean Champions more intimately on 19 July 2014.
Expected Future Outcomes of the Project:- Increased awareness of ocean matters through the young ocean champions in their individual schools- Increased involvement of locals in addressing marine debris- Reduction of plastic packaging and waste- Enhanced understanding of what constitutes marine debris and how to avoid it- Skills building of locals to dive against debris whilst becoming part of the database of volunteers who support marine conservation
With multiple island livelihoods based on the ocean for food and income, it is clear that youth need to become active stakeholders for the protection of the ocean and its restoration. Seeing Blue will be in 5 stages:(1) Developing the ocean caucus, by finding a critical mass of youth and stakeholders to protect the ocean(2) Dialogue, to brainstorm solutions and consolidate the network(3) Capacity Building(4) Implementation, of the solutions(5) Expansion, of the key results achievedWe have already completed stages (1) and (2), through the competition which was launched on 7 May 2014 and whose winners committed to become Young Ocean Champions (YOC). They will now be introduced to the marine environment first-hand through a scuba-diving experience and a visit of the marine lab, Nauticaz. The next two stages of the project are the implementation of solutions such as tackling marine debris by working with locals and creating more ocean volunteers.This will involve conducting a marine debris audit, including how marine debris can be recycled, training local youth to dive against debris, and offering alternatives to packaging and other disposables which end up in the Ocean.
As part of phase 3 of the project, stakeholders will be taken to the marine lab. furthermore they will benefit from a dive initiation, leadership training, and curation of information on ocean protection measures.
The partnership will be coordinated by SYAH and Shapers, who will liaise with, and keep expanding the ocean caucus in a non-hierarchical, non-political and knowledge-based manner. Furthermore, two phases of the project have already been completed, resulting in the selection of "Young Ocean Champions" tasked with continuing the advocacy for the ocean in their schools.
Supported by: ENL Foundation, Indian Ocean Commission, Reef Conservation Society (Mauritius)
Other stakeholders: local schools, private sector, young ocean champions
Global Shapers Community
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
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SDGs
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- Africa
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Contact Information
Karuna Rana, Global Shaper/ co-founder of SYAH