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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Sustainable Management of the Coastal and Marine Resources

Indian Ocean Commission
#SDGAction39966
    Description
    Description
    The partnership aims at strengthening the capacity of island nations to management of the marine and coastal resources for growth and development with due respect to the environment. The European Union is the leading technical and financial partner of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and it has supported a large number regional programs for the development of the island States members of the IOC. These programs seek to enhance the capacity of island nations for good governance of fisheries, management of the coastal zones and the management of coastal, marine and island specific biodiversity. The programmes will help to address gaps in the legal, administrative and institutional framework hence strengthens enforcement of regulation and compliance to international and regional agreements such as the Nairobi Convention and its protocol, the CBD will focus on the Nagoya protocol, UNCLOS, fisheries regulation to reduce IUU fishing. The fisheries programs allow countries to strengthen both the national and regional fisheries surveillance systems and manage the fisheries stock. It will promote regional mechanisms for effective cooperation and compliance instruments, address interactions between coastal fisheries and the protection of the marine environment, promote participatory approach to integrated management of the coastal resources. Counties will continue to benefit from information generated from the regional vessel monitoring system to improve fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance effort. Joint sea and air patrol has proven to be effect in the region. Countries have been able put their resources together to ensure surveillance of the ocean from illegal fishing activities. It is expected that trade in fisheries produce for the region will improve, whereby quality and hygiene practise, norms and standards shall be observed. The biodiversity management program will allow for multistakolder participation in the management of the islands ecosystems, restoration of habitat and adopt sound management practices to ensure conservation of species, forest and strengthen the capacity of biodiversity centres. The program will provide for the interaction between the local community and its environment, develop community base actions for sustainable liveliness. At the same time, the national institutions will have the opportunity to continuously build its internal capacity for the management and use of the biodiversity. Country will have the opportunity to review its legal instruments to allow enforcement of regulation to reduce illegal trade. The biodiversity and coastal zone management programs provide opportunities for reconciliation of ecology and economy, science and policy and integrated approach to development. Emphasis is being laid on raising awareness for decision makers on the economic value of the ecosystem and need to approach development in a holistic manner.
    Implementation of the Project/Activity

    The partnership is implemented through project approach. The activities to be carried out are outlined in the annual work program and guided by thematic experts recruited by the Indian Ocean Commission. The priority actions to be implemented are driven by country need. Collaboration with national institutions, e.g. Universities, specialised institutions, etc…are also established to ensure national commitment and for sustainability of actions. Collaboration with regional and international institutions and secretariats of international and regional conventions are established. Recently more specifically for livelihood activities, mechanisms have been put in place to allow the participation of non-state actors through implementation of small grants and the participation of the private sector has been highly encouraged.

    Capacity

    Capacity building needs assessment and the capacity of the institutions are assessed at the start of the program. Training are provided mostly to enhance technical capacity of technicians and these training could be either in the form of practical or through workshops and seminars. To strengthen institutional capacity tools and equipment are made available where required. In the field of fisheries management for instance, joint sea and air surveillance missions has been organised. These missions would involve the participation of fisheries inspectors from all the fisheries surveillance centres. National databases shall be available and a protocol shall be put in place to ensure exchanges of scientific information ensuring that countries keep ownership of their data.

    Governed

    The partnership is coordinated by the secretariat of the Indian Ocean Commission with regular reporting and review exercises with the EU. The focus island countries benefit from this partnership through regional projects designed through consultations with national authorities and national and regional partners. The coordination mechanism is done both at national and regional level. To ensure coordination and effectiveness of the funds, at national level, national focal points are appointed for each program and at regional level regional steering committees are put in place to guide the implementation of action, propose corrective measures and provide guideline for future actions. Furthermore the Indian Ocean Commission secretariat will report to the Governments through the institutions’ governance structure, which comprise of the Permanent Liaison Officers meeting and its council of Ministers meeting to which the development partner would also participate.

    Partners
    Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Reunion Island, European Union

    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

    1. Upgrade and equip the fisheries surveillance centre of Comoros
    2. Coastal erosion protection in Seychelles and Comoros (NGOs)
    3. Restoration and regulation of Octopus stock in Rodrigues , Mauritius
    4. Support to Marine Protected Area in Seychelles, Mauritius ,Comoros
    In-kind contribution
    The involvement of national institutions and personnel that will include de salaries of national staff. The involvement of the secretariat of the Indian Ocean Commission which will involve, office space for programs and salary of its personnel involve in
    Other, please specify
    External funding of projects European Union
    Other, please specify
    External funding; French Global Environment Fund
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
    False
    Action Network
    Small Island Developing States
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    Timeline
    01 January 2018 (date of completion)
    Entity
    COI-IOC
    SDGs
    Region
    1. Africa
    More information
    Countries
    Comoros
    Comoros
    Madagascar
    Madagascar
    Mauritius
    Mauritius
    Seychelles
    Seychelles
    Contact Information

    Gina Bonne, Ms