Sustainable Pearls: Fostering Marine Conservation and Livelihoods in the Pacific.
University of Queensland, Australia
#SDGAction40090
Description
Each of the corporate partners (pearl production companies and jewelry companies) will sign on to principles of action related to sustainable pearl farming which were developed through a consultative process held in Hong Kong in June 2014. A biodiversity monitoring program which we developed for fish species around pearl farms through a Waitt Foundation grant with the National Geographic Society will subsequently be employed to keep track of the progress being made. A separate effort to market the program to consumers will also be undertaken to highlight to role pearls can play as a catalyst for sustainable economic development in island economies.
In Micronesia, pearl farming is reducing the dependency on artisanal reef fishing, encouraging coral reef protection and raising environmental awareness (Cartier and Ali, 2012). In Mexico, pearl farming has led to the repopulation of wild oysters and farms are acting as no-fishery reserves. In French Polynesia certain farmers have developed new ecologically sound techniques to clean their pearl oysters, thereby increasing the abundance of reef fish and acting as Marine Protected Areas. Conserving the tropical ecosystems in which pearl oysters thrive is a priority if global biodiversity loss is to be reduced. Pearls reflect the health of our oceans. From the research phase (2011-2014) of our project we have studied a number of pearl farms that have managed to upgrade their activities. This is knowledge that can be transferred to other pearl farms. We want to aid the partner pearl farms in further upgrading their activities, helping them up the value chain, to capture more value and be thereby able to further invest in conservation and livelihoods. Examples include: - Manufacturing of basic jewellery that can be sold to tourists (e.g. Micronesia)- Training of further locals in pearl farming (e.g. Micronesia) and training of locals as operating technicians (e.g. French Polynesia, Indonesia)- Ecotourism activities and farm visits (e.g. Fiji, French Polynesia)- Raising environmental awareness locally and preferring local employment to mechanised oyster cleaning techniques (e.g. Fiji)- Training local marine biologists and working with local jewellery designers (e.g. Micronesia, Fiji, Philippines).
We have developed a core group of pearl producers and conservation organizations who will constitute the board of governors for the partnership. The organization will also aim to leverage existing coordination mechanisms which the partners have with the National Geographic Society's Explorers' program and the Nature Conservancy to provide a coordination mechanism.
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
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
Feedback
Action Network
Share
Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Region
- Asia and Pacific
More information
Countries
Contact Information
Saleem Ali, Professor and Research Director