Thailand towards sustainable management of marine and coastal habitats
(
Government
)
#OceanAction41367
Description
Thailand has adopted the concept of ecosystem-based approach for sustainable use and management of marine and coastal resources. A number of measures and operational programs have been implemented in order to eliminate threats, reduce anthropogenic impacts as well as strengthen ecological resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems. The programs or activities being defined in the 5-year plan (2016-2020) are as follows:
Declaration of more conserved and reserved marine and coastal areas.
Promotion of management effectiveness for the existing protected areas, which also includes strengthening strict law enforcement, monitoring and surveillance of illegal practices.
Restoration of degraded marine and coastal habitats.
Establishment and improvement of fishing measures to be in line with responsible fishery.
Promotion of environmental- and ecological-friendly maritime activities.
Application of marine spatial planning as an integral part of marine and coastal zone management.
Stakeholder participation and partnerships are considered as a key to success and to be assigned for involvement, as appropriate, in the course of action for each implementing program.
At present, the proportion of Thailands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) managed using ecosystem-based approaches has reached 15.7 % (50,700 sq.km.). Concerning marine protected areas (MPAs), Thailand has adopted the target of 10% of coastal and marine areas to be protected. At present, the total coastal and marine protected area is about 18,000 sq.km., accounting for 5.6% of Thai waters, encompassing 22 national marine parks, 6 coastal non-hunting areas, 160 sites of reserved mangrove forests, 56 marine fishery sanctuaries, and 6 environmental protection areas. In order to attain 4.4% (14,300 sq.km.) more of MPAs, a number of potential areas/sites have been targeted for legal proclamation in the coming years. The proposed areas include 4 national marine parks (ca. 450 sq.km.), 3 environmental protection areas (570 sq.km.), and many marine and coastal protection areas, i.e. 25 island-groups (6,600 sq.km.) and one large offshore shelf-break font zone (6,700 sq.km.).
Ministry of Interior (Government)
Research institute and university (Academic institution)
Local non-governmental organization (NGO)
Local communities (Private sector)
Public/ private companies (Private sector)
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 |
| 14.5 | 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 |
Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
Feedback
Action Network
Share
Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Geographical coverage
Ocean Basins
Communities of Ocean Action
More information
Countries
Contact Information
Ukkrit Satapoomin, Marine Resources Management Specialist