Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
1.3 A holistic and responsible approach to ocean management
The progressive realization of human impact on the oceans, coupled with the recognition
that we should maintain healthy and resilient oceans rather than merely continuing to con-
sume our natural capital, calls for the application of an ecosystem approach to the manage-
ment of oceans and their resources.
The ecosystem approach has arisen largely due to the current crisis faced by biod-
iversity and natural resources, to which single species and single sector management ap-
proaches cannot respond adequately. In general terms, an ecosystem approach can assist in
dealing with multiple impacts of human activities while at the same time maximizing long-
term economic, social, and cultural benefits, and in mobilizing a wide range of stakeholders
by defining use and conservation priorities.
Many different ecosystem approaches are available to us, including traditional and in-
digenous approaches to the use of the oceans and the resources therein. Analysing and com-
paring these approaches allow us to derive certain common principles which apply, as re-
flectedintheUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea(UNCLOS,orLOSConven-
tion) and its 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, relating to the conservation and
management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks (the UN Fish Stocks
Agreement).
Case studies and lessons learned on the application of the ecosystem approach to the
marine environment show that the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) Principles
on the Ecosystem Approach are currently implemented through a variety of tools and ap-
proaches, including national and regional bioregional planning processes, marine protected
areas, rehabilitation of ecosystems, fostering sustainable use of biodiversity, and participat-
ory and bottom-up activities promoted by local stakeholders.
Currently, integrated marine and coastal area management is expanding to encompass
the bioregional or large marine ecosystem scales, in an effort to also promote the application
