dc.description.abstract | Oceans are of vital importance to the international community, not only for their
living and non-living resources and the shipping and other maritime uses they
facilitate, but also for the key role they play in the global climate and weather system.
The marine environment, its resources, and its biodiversity are increasing threatened
by human activities, both maritime and terrestrial. Anthropogenic climate change, seabased
and land-based pollution, habitat destruction, introduction of alien species,
over-exploitation of non-renewable resources, and destructive fishing practices are
among the most serious threats. While each of these threats requires dedicated,
separate attention, there is increasingly wide support for more holistic and integrated
governance approaches that take account of the spatial dimension and functioning of
ecosystems. This paper refers to such approaches as “ecosystem-based management”
(EBM).<br>
The following three types of regional oceans governance mechanisms are reviewed in
this paper:<br>
(a) Regional Seas programmes, most of which are supported or coordinated by the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP);<br>
(b) Regional fishery bodies (RFBs), some of which have been established under
the framework of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO); and<br>
(c) Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) mechanisms, most of which are projects
supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).<br>
This review is intended to assist states that participate in existing regional oceans
governance mechanisms, as well as those that are considering participating, by
clarifying the key distinctions between their mandates, highlighting the successes and
challenges of existing mechanisms, and outlining cooperation and coordination
efforts. Options are identified for strengthening existing mechanisms and cooperation
and coordination between them, as well as for the creation of new regional oceans
governance mechanisms, with particular reference to EBM. | en_US |