Integrating biodiversity concerns into marine resource policies

The increasing pressure of human activities on marine and coastal environments stress the importance of integrating biodiversity concerns into marine resource policies, including fisheries, and into agreements on the protection of coastal and marine environment and on fisheries.

The conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal ecosystems is essential to maintain the livelihoods of fishermen and fishing communities. The integration of the Convention on Biological Diversity objectives within the fisheries policy sector requires action at three different levels: (a) the conservation and sustainable use of fish stocks, (b) the protection of non-target species from fishing activities; and (c) the prevention of impacts of aquaculture on different ecosystems. These different levels should also be considered in the context of fisheries agreements with third countries.

1. Establishing inclusive planning framework
2. Developing sustainable coastal fishing policy
3. Conserving global marine biological diversity
4. Adopting strategic frameworks to integrate environment and development goals

1. Promoting responsible fisheries
2. Creating synergies between biodiversity and other development strategies

1. Using ecosystem approach for marine resource management
2. Developing databases on marine living resources
3. Assessing impact of fisheries on biodiversity

1. Abstaining from marine resource management

1. Lack of synergy between biodiversity and other development strategies
2. Lack of national action on biodiversity conservation
3. Lack of international coordination in biodiversity conservation
4. Lack of integrated management of biodiversity
5. Exclusion of biodiversity factors in development planning
6. Erosion of marine biological diversity