Monterey Bay Aquarium
Statement of the Monterey Bay Aquarium
UN SDG 14 Preparatory Conference, New York
February 16, 2017
Margaret Spring
Vice President of Conservation and Science and Chief Conservation Officer
Good afternoon, Co-Facilitators and Delegates to this important meeting on the first
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for the ocean, SDG 14.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean and since
our founding over 30 years ago by scientists and technology leaders, we have served as a
window to the ocean’s beauty, mystery and essential role in human well-being.
We also share information on the growing threats to ocean health, actions that can be
taken, as well as success stories where action has made a difference.
Education alone cannot reverse ocean declines – action is needed at all levels – so we
use science-based information and numerous partnerships to engage the public,
business and governments in practical and achievable actions to advance both ocean
health – and societal well being.
In that spirit, we support achievement of all SDG 14 targets, and engage in a number of
relevant efforts, which support protecting ocean wildlife and the health of ocean
ecosystems, including:
Science-based, understandable and transparent sustainability criteria and ratings
by our Seafood Watch Program for seafood in the North American market –
roughly 90% of which is imported – which provides a useful metric for fishery
and aquaculture performance around the world. As a result – we are part of a
broad- based network of technical advisors and performance based partnerships
to advance legal, traceable and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture with major
seafood buyers, chefs and restaurants, governments, aid organizations, as well as
fishing and aquaculture operations across the globe. Exciting partnerships are
driving sustainability improvements on the water and opening new market
opportunities. This results in a win-win that aligns with the specific commitments
for 2020, and the broader SDG goals. Projects range from shrimp aquaculture to
tuna traceability in key seafood-producing regions, including the Asian Seafood
Improvement Collaborative in Southeast Asia and in developing states.
An emerging partnership of major U.S. aquariums to advance consumer
awareness and policy and business action to reduce sources of ocean and
freshwater plastic pollution – a topic of concern for communities, families and
the next generation – in fact, with strong public support, California became the
first US state to ban single use plastic bags and joined other states in banning
plastic microbeads in consumer products.
Working with governments and scientists to bring the existential threat of climate
change and impacts of greenhouse gas emissions to the ocean to public
attention. For example, we are an affiliate member of the 13 government1
member International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, of which the state
of California is a founding member (supported by the California Ocean Protection
Council and the California Ocean Science Trust, an affiliate member). These
members have committed to global action on ocean acidification by working
collaboratively and taking individual actions that address the environmental and
economic threat posed by ocean acidification within their region. This Alliance
was announced at the Our Ocean Conference hosted by the U.S. Department of
State on September 16, 2016.
SDG 14 can make a difference by bringing this solutions-based approach to a global scale.
We are encouraged by the desire of many member states and organizations to focus on
actions, not words, at the June meeting, and beyond.
Success will depend on: (1) member states committing to leading action at the country,
regional and global scale; and (2) being transparent and accountable to the outcomes –
in other words, setting and keeping SMART objectives.
1 ) The 13 governments members of the Global Alliance are: The Province of British Columbia,
The Republic of Chile, The State of California, Cross River State, Nigeria, The French Republic, City
of Imperial Beach, California, The State of New York, The State of Oregon, The Province of
Quebec, Quileute Nation, Quinault Indian Nation, The Suquamish Tribe, The State of Washington.
Recommendations:
(1) We recommend the SDG process and dialogues engage government and external
experts in science-based evaluations of the ability of longstanding institutions and
rules ̶ including Regional Fishery Management Organizations ̶ to achieve the
specific SDG 14 targets – especially the ambitious timeline of 14.4. This can help
identify best practices and areas for improvement by state members and leaders
of those organizations.
(2) With respect to the important Target 14.4, we urge this body:
a. To support effective government, private sector and NGO partnerships to
advance progress by a strong call to action for transparent data
submission and strong science-based management. That includes meeting
existing requirements of the RFMOs.
b. To renew efforts to eliminate IUU fishing, particularly through basic data
collection systems needed to build transparency and traceability – two
critical elements to establish long term economic and environmental
sustainability.
(3) We recommend including sustainable aquaculture in the dialogues and calls to
action, given the relevance of aquaculture to a number of the targets and other
SDGs, including food security.
(4) We recommend ensuring actions and strategies consider the impacts of
greenhouse gas emissions on ocean and coastal ecosystems and resources ̶
including impacts of sea level rise, seawater warming, intensifying weather
events and acidification.
(5) Finally, we recommend that the work of this body ̶ and actions and outcomes ̶
be understandable and relatable to the public. This is an area where we and
other public facing organizations have significant experience and research to
offer.
We look forward to future discussions about these important topics for the future of our
ocean.
Thank you for your attention and your commitment to the health of our ocean.
UN SDG 14 Preparatory Conference, New York
February 16, 2017
Margaret Spring
Vice President of Conservation and Science and Chief Conservation Officer
Good afternoon, Co-Facilitators and Delegates to this important meeting on the first
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for the ocean, SDG 14.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean and since
our founding over 30 years ago by scientists and technology leaders, we have served as a
window to the ocean’s beauty, mystery and essential role in human well-being.
We also share information on the growing threats to ocean health, actions that can be
taken, as well as success stories where action has made a difference.
Education alone cannot reverse ocean declines – action is needed at all levels – so we
use science-based information and numerous partnerships to engage the public,
business and governments in practical and achievable actions to advance both ocean
health – and societal well being.
In that spirit, we support achievement of all SDG 14 targets, and engage in a number of
relevant efforts, which support protecting ocean wildlife and the health of ocean
ecosystems, including:
Science-based, understandable and transparent sustainability criteria and ratings
by our Seafood Watch Program for seafood in the North American market –
roughly 90% of which is imported – which provides a useful metric for fishery
and aquaculture performance around the world. As a result – we are part of a
broad- based network of technical advisors and performance based partnerships
to advance legal, traceable and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture with major
seafood buyers, chefs and restaurants, governments, aid organizations, as well as
fishing and aquaculture operations across the globe. Exciting partnerships are
driving sustainability improvements on the water and opening new market
opportunities. This results in a win-win that aligns with the specific commitments
for 2020, and the broader SDG goals. Projects range from shrimp aquaculture to
tuna traceability in key seafood-producing regions, including the Asian Seafood
Improvement Collaborative in Southeast Asia and in developing states.
An emerging partnership of major U.S. aquariums to advance consumer
awareness and policy and business action to reduce sources of ocean and
freshwater plastic pollution – a topic of concern for communities, families and
the next generation – in fact, with strong public support, California became the
first US state to ban single use plastic bags and joined other states in banning
plastic microbeads in consumer products.
Working with governments and scientists to bring the existential threat of climate
change and impacts of greenhouse gas emissions to the ocean to public
attention. For example, we are an affiliate member of the 13 government1
member International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, of which the state
of California is a founding member (supported by the California Ocean Protection
Council and the California Ocean Science Trust, an affiliate member). These
members have committed to global action on ocean acidification by working
collaboratively and taking individual actions that address the environmental and
economic threat posed by ocean acidification within their region. This Alliance
was announced at the Our Ocean Conference hosted by the U.S. Department of
State on September 16, 2016.
SDG 14 can make a difference by bringing this solutions-based approach to a global scale.
We are encouraged by the desire of many member states and organizations to focus on
actions, not words, at the June meeting, and beyond.
Success will depend on: (1) member states committing to leading action at the country,
regional and global scale; and (2) being transparent and accountable to the outcomes –
in other words, setting and keeping SMART objectives.
1 ) The 13 governments members of the Global Alliance are: The Province of British Columbia,
The Republic of Chile, The State of California, Cross River State, Nigeria, The French Republic, City
of Imperial Beach, California, The State of New York, The State of Oregon, The Province of
Quebec, Quileute Nation, Quinault Indian Nation, The Suquamish Tribe, The State of Washington.
Recommendations:
(1) We recommend the SDG process and dialogues engage government and external
experts in science-based evaluations of the ability of longstanding institutions and
rules ̶ including Regional Fishery Management Organizations ̶ to achieve the
specific SDG 14 targets – especially the ambitious timeline of 14.4. This can help
identify best practices and areas for improvement by state members and leaders
of those organizations.
(2) With respect to the important Target 14.4, we urge this body:
a. To support effective government, private sector and NGO partnerships to
advance progress by a strong call to action for transparent data
submission and strong science-based management. That includes meeting
existing requirements of the RFMOs.
b. To renew efforts to eliminate IUU fishing, particularly through basic data
collection systems needed to build transparency and traceability – two
critical elements to establish long term economic and environmental
sustainability.
(3) We recommend including sustainable aquaculture in the dialogues and calls to
action, given the relevance of aquaculture to a number of the targets and other
SDGs, including food security.
(4) We recommend ensuring actions and strategies consider the impacts of
greenhouse gas emissions on ocean and coastal ecosystems and resources ̶
including impacts of sea level rise, seawater warming, intensifying weather
events and acidification.
(5) Finally, we recommend that the work of this body ̶ and actions and outcomes ̶
be understandable and relatable to the public. This is an area where we and
other public facing organizations have significant experience and research to
offer.
We look forward to future discussions about these important topics for the future of our
ocean.
Thank you for your attention and your commitment to the health of our ocean.