Oceans Issues

Enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in the 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”.

Providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.

Increasing scientific knowledge, developing research capacity and transferring 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 […]

Increasing 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.

Prohibiting certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminating subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refraining 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 […]

Conserving at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information.

Effectively regulating harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans 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.

Minimizing and addressing the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels.

Sustainably managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience and taking action for their restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans.

Preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.