Distr.

GENERAL

UNEP/CBD/COP/4/5

24 February 1998

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Fourth meeting

Bratislava, 4-15 May 1998 Item 7.1 of the provisional agenda

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK ON

MARINE AND COASTAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Report of the Executive Secretary

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The present report has been prepared by the Executive Secretary for the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity pursuant to decision II/10 of the Conference of the Parties, which instructs the Executive Secretary to provide, in accordance with Annex II to decision II/10, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) with scientific, technical and technological advice and options for recommendations to the Conference of the Parties in further elaborating the recommendations contained in recommendation I/8 of SBSTTA, with the exception of paragraphs 3 and 4.

Following recommendation III/2 of SBSTTA, the present report contains a revised three-year programme of work together with preliminary cost estimates. The report also provides information on the activities undertaken during the period between the second and the fourth meetings of the Conference of the Parties, namely:

On collaboration with relevant organizations;

(b)	On information on the roster of experts on marine and coastal biological diversity;

(c)	On the First Meeting of Experts on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity.

An overview of relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties and recommendations of SBSTTA related to the implementation of the programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity is also given in chapter III below, "Institutional framework".

II. ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN SINCE THE SECOND MEETING OF

THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES

The activities undertaken by the Secretariat since the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties have mainly focused on: establishing partnerships with other relevant organizations; establishing a roster of experts on marine and coastal biological diversity; organizing the First Meeting of Experts on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity; preparing documents for SBSTTA and the Conference of the Parties, in particular the three-year Jakarta Mandate work programme. The Secretariat also provided inputs on request by various agencies and answered queries in regard to the marine and coastal biological diversity programme.

With a view to promoting the Jakarta Mandate programme and providing services widely to any interested individual and organization, the Secretariat is preparing a prototype of the Jakarta Mandate homepage.

A. Collaboration with relevant organizations

Since the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the Secretariat has initiated collaborative linkages with various organizations whose mandates and activities are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity. The objective of this process has been threefold:

To inventory ongoing and planned activities in the field of marine and coastal biological diversity;

To avoid duplication of efforts; and

To ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness in carrying out the Jakarta Mandate work programme.

To facilitate the linkages, recent memoranda of cooperation have been signed between:

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Secretariat of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention), signed in March 1997; and

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), signed in July 1997.

The Secretariat of the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS) and the Secretariat of the Kuwait Convention and its Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) have also officially expressed their willingness to establish closer cooperation with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

During the First Meeting of Experts, representatives of the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and IOC identified the programmatic linkages between the Convention and their respective organizations. The programmatic linkages between the Convention and European regional initiatives were also identified.

In addition to the above mentioned organizations, several others have expressed their interest in the implementation of the Jakarta Mandate programme under the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In this regard, the Secretariat has laid the basis, through an active exchange of information and views, for partnership in the area of marine and coastal biological diversity, as called for in decision II/10 of the Conference of the Parties. Following an invitation by the Secretariat, several organizations have reviewed or are in the process of reviewing their programmes, with a view to improving existing measures and developing new actions in order to promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity, as called for in paragraph 13 of decision II/10. These organizations have also provided the Secretariat with relevant information. Further specific joint actions are expected to be developed between the Secretariat and all the organizations, on the basis of the three-year work programme that is put forward to the current meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

B. Roster of experts on marine and coastal biological diversity

In accordance with the guidance from the Conference of the Parties referred to above, the Executive Secretary has established, on the basis of inputs from countries, a roster of experts with specialization relevant to paragraph 8 (c) of decision II/10. The status of the roster as of 20 October 1996 was communicated to the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties in document UNEP/CBD/COP/3/Inf.26 and the status as of 1 May 1997 was communicated to SBSTTA at its third meeting in document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/3/4.

As of 1 July 1997, 74 countries and one regional economic integration organization had provided the Secretariat with the names of over 700 experts (see annex I below).

In the meantime, the Secretariat has also received names of experts submitted by international and regional organizations (see annex II below).

As part of its ongoing activities, the Secretariat continues to update the roster by requesting, where necessary, further information on the experts and by improving the database.

The Secretariat intends to make available, through the clearing-house mechanism, databases containing the rosters of experts for all those issues where rosters have been established, including information on the roster of experts on marine and coastal biological diversity. Lists of experts for the five thematic areas of the Jakarta Mandate will be established under the roster, where possible.

At its third meeting, SBSTTA underscored the importance of utilizing the expertise that is available within the Convention. Accordingly, the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties may wish to consider giving a mandate to the Executive Secretary to take full advantage of the roster of experts.

C. First Meeting of Experts on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity

In its decision II/10, paragraph 9, the Conference of the Parties welcomed the offer from Indonesia to host the First Meeting of Experts on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity.	The terms of reference for the meeting followed the guidelines provided in that decision and, in particular, its annex II.

At its second meeting, in recommendation II/10, SBSTTA urged the Secretariat to convene the First Meeting of Experts on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity in early 1997; requested the Meeting of Experts to assist the Executive Secretary in identifying priorities for implementing decision II/10 and urged the Secretariat to strengthen and develop special partnerships with relevant international organizations and institutions.

The First Meeting of Experts on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity took place from 7 to 10 March 1997 in Indonesia, at the invitation of the Government of Indonesia. Fifteen experts were selected on the basis of the following criteria:

(a)	Geographic representation, taking into consideration the special conditions of least developed countries and small island developing States;

(b)	Representation of the expertise identified in recommendation I/8 of SBSTTA on the five thematic areas:

(i)	Integrated marine and coastal area management;

(ii)	Marine and coastal protected areas;

(iii)	Sustainable use of marine and coastal living resources;

(iv)	Mariculture; and

(v)	Alien species;

(c)	Representation of the expertise identified in paragraph 8 (c) of decision II/10, namely: scientific, technical, technological, social, management, economic, policy, legal, indigenous and traditional knowledge, in the field of biodiversity and relevant to the five thematic areas mentioned above.

The experts selected from the roster were those nominated by Australia, Barbados, Croatia, European Community, Japan, Latvia, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Senegal, South Africa and Uruguay. Fourteen experts were present at the meeting. An expert nominated by the Government of Indonesia participated ex officio.

The Chairman and the Chairman-elect of SBSTTA were also present. Representatives of six international agencies - FAO, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), UNESCO, IOC, UNEP and the World Bank - also participated in the meeting.

The Government of the Netherlands seconded an expert to assist the Secretariat in the preparation of working documents and in servicing the meeting.

The report of the meeting has been placed on the Secretariat's homepage (http://www.biodiv.org) since late April 1997 and has been made available upon request in hard or electronic copy. The report was distributed at the third meeting of SBSTTA as document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/3/Inf.1.

III. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

The framework for the implementation of the Jakarta Mandate (1998-2000) is provided by the proposed programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity, as developed by the First Meeting of Experts on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity. The programme of work, which is an elaboration of annex I to recommendation III/2 of SBSTTA, is subject to approval by the Conference of the Parties at its fourth meeting.

To ensure that the programme of work is successfully implemented, it is very important that all actions in the field of marine and coastal biological diversity be undertaken also on the basis of the previous relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties and related recommendations of SBSTTA that were adopted by the Conference of the Parties. Attention is drawn, in particular, to the following decisions and recommendations.

A. Decision III/10, on identification, monitoring and assessment

In its first paragraph, this decision "...urges Parties to identify indicators of biological diversity and to develop innovative methods of implementing Article 7 as a high priority, in particular commending the value of rapid biological diversity assessment approaches as an efficient and cost-effective way of assessing biological diversity and identifying priorities for action, and recognizing also the role of remote sensing as a useful tool for monitoring".

Decision III/10 also endorses recommendations II/1 and II/2 of SBSTTA, concerning indicators, monitoring and assessment of biological diversity and capacity-building for taxonomy, respectively.

The above-mentioned decision and recommendations are most relevant to element 1 of the programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity, in particular to operational objective 1.2, which refers to the need to identify and select indicators to develop guidelines for ecosystem evaluation and assessments; and to element 6 of the programme of work, operational objective 6.2, which refers to the importance of taxonomy and the Global Taxonomic Initiative.

The Jakarta Mandate unit within the Secretariat will closely follow the work related to Article 7 of the Convention, particularly on indicators, with a view to identifying and selecting best indicators for the monitoring and assessment of marine and coastal biological diversity. Furthermore, optimal use will be made of recommendations II/1 and II/2.

As noted to in paragraph 6 of decision III/10, the Secretariat will also assist in the development, launching and implementation of voluntary pilot projects to demonstrate the use of successful assessment and indicator methodologies.

B. Decision III/9 on the implementation of Articles 6

and 8 of the Convention

Paragraph 2 (b) of this decision urges Parties to include, in their national plans or strategies and legislation measures, the integration of biological diversity objectives in relevant sectoral policies, in order to achieve conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

This is relevant to element 1 of the programme of work on the implementation of integrated marine and coastal area management (IMCAM) and, particularly, its operational objective 1.1, paragraph (e), on the development and promotion of the implementation of IMCAM at the national and regional levels. Guidelines are thus necessary for the inclusion of biological diversity elements and issues in plans for the integrated management of marine and coastal areas, for the specific purpose of the Jakarta Mandate, as well as in accordance with the objectives of the Convention.

C. Decision III/14 on the implementation of Article 8 (j)

The different elements of the programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity will be linked up with relevant work under Article 8 (j), where appropriate, so as to integrate sustainable traditional practices into, for example, identification, monitoring and assessment activities, in the formulation of plans and strategies and legislative measures for sectoral policies, as well as in other elements of the programme of work.

D. Decision II/10 on the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity - "Jakarta Mandate"

The Jakarta Mandate remains the overall implementation framework for actions aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity. In particular, the recommendations developed by SBSTTA at its first meeting in 1995 that are supported by decision II/10 (paragraphs 10-19 of recommendation I/8), subject to annex I of decision II/10 and its further elaboration by SBSTTA, will continue providing the Secretariat with guidelines for its coordinative work on the five thematic areas of the Jakarta Mandate.

With regard to paragraph 11 of the Jakarta Mandate, the Secretariat intends to establish a regular and constructive dialogue with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other funding agencies, with a view to those agencies taking into account decision II/10 and annexes in considering activities related to the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity.

With reference to paragraph 13 of decision II/10, particular attention will be paid to further strengthening the communication and exchange of views process with those organizations whose activities are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity, and in promoting the development of cooperation agreements between these and the Secretariat.

All other relevant recommendations of the third meeting of SBSTTA will be taken into account by the Secretariat in its work on marine and coastal biological diversity, subject to endorsement by the Conference of the Parties at its fourth meeting.

IV. PROGRAMME OF WORK ON MARINE AND COASTAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

The main outcome of the First Meeting of Experts was to identify the elements for the three-year work programme for the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity. On the basis of this output, the Secretariat prepared a proposal for the three-year work programme for the Jakarta Mandate, as requested by the Conference of the Parties. The proposal, with its products, timetables, ways and means of proceeding as well as possible budget implications was presented and discussed at the third meeting of SBSTTA in Montreal, September 1997.

Recommendation III/2 directs the Executive Secretary:

(a)	To undertake the programme of work;

(b)	To maintain and develop liaison with partners and other organizations concerned with marine and coastal living resources, including those involved in both the conservation and the sustainable use of marine living resources, taking into consideration existing memoranda of cooperation between the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and other entities;

(c)	To utilize to the extent possible the competence of the roster of experts on marine and coastal biological diversity to monitor and moderate the outputs for the programme of work; and

(d)	To invite countries, Parties, regional governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations to propose contributions to implement specific elements of the programme of work.

On the basis of the annex to recommendation III/2, a three-year programme of work was developed for consideration by the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. SBSTTA, in its recommendation III/2, recognized that there is a cost implication in the programme of work.

In addition to the programme of work, the Secretariat has compiled a table of proposed actions for the implementation of the programme (see table 1 below). These actions are aimed at translating programme elements into concrete activities and, where possible, related products (e.g., guidelines, training products, information exchange systems, etc.). The proposed actions will also aim at the further design of conceptual and collaborative implementation frameworks and strategies for action.

The proposed work programme has to be implemented through concerted actions of Parties, countries and biodiversity-related organizations. In fact, while the ultimate implementation of the programme of work will take place at national and regional level by the Parties and countries themselves, several of the proposed activities can be implemented only through the active involvement of the expertise that has to be found within the programmes and activities of United Nations specialized agencies, other relevant international and regional organizations, national scientific institutions and technical departments. In the meantime, the financial requirements for the proposed activities and the present situation of the budget of the General Trust Fund for the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as the two special trust funds established through decision III/24 of the Conference of the Parties, are such that, without a voluntary financial commitment on behalf of Parties, countries and relevant international and regional organizations, it will be difficult for several of these activities to be implemented. In this context, the Secretariat will continue to perform a coordinative role through gathering information, assisting in the development of project proposals, organizing events and assisting in the identification of funding, including facilitation through the existing financial mechanism (GEF).

The proposed actions are specifically aimed at the implementation of the Jakarta Mandate, in full accordance with the objectives of the Convention. Taking into consideration the programme of work of other relevant organizations, duplication of efforts will be avoided through cooperative arrangements, such as the co-sponsorship and co-organization of meeting, exchange of information, etc. Table 1 shows that the goal of the proposed actions is the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity, through implementing the five themes in the Jakarta Mandate as a whole. As an example, guidelines for integrated marine and coastal area management have been developed by several organizations, but none of them specifically tackle the issue from the Jakarta Mandate perspectives. The same applies to the other thematic areas within the Jakarta Mandate. In most cases, instruments for the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity remain to be identified and selected.

The following is the proposed three-year programme of work, which is an elaboration of the annex to recommendation III/2:

Programme element 1. Implementation of integrated marine and coastal area management (IMCAM)

Rationale: Integrated marine and coastal area management (IMCAM) constitutes the most effective tool for implementing the Convention with respect to the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity, pollution control and environmental degradation. Such a tool may require implementation at different levels, ranging from the intra-national, or local, through national and regional, or supra-national to the global level.

Operational objective 1.1: To review the existing instruments relevant to IMCAM and their implication for the implementation of the Convention.

Activities:

(a)	To identify existing mechanisms and instruments relevant to IMCAM;

(b)	To identify focal points for the implementation of IMCAM at different levels (national, regional and global);

(c)	To gather, compare and analyse information provided by the focal points;

(d)	To convene meetings involving representatives of stakeholders at different levels; and

(e)	To develop and promote the implementation of IMCAM at the national and regional levels.

Time schedule: 1998-2000

Ways and means: The activities will be carried out during the three-year period by the Secretariat, with the collaboration of an informal inter-agency task force.

Budgetary implication: The establishment of an informal inter-agency task force, while providing for savings against future additional human resources needs within the Secretariat, will entail communications and travel costs. There are no specific provisions for such expenditure in the budget of the General Trust Fund for 1997-1998, as set out in decision III/24. Possible indicative costs might be $5,000 per annum for communications and $20,000 for staff travel to inter-agency meetings and to service meetings. Indicative average costs of convening the meetings of stakeholders will vary according to the nature of the meeting, ranging from comparatively modest amounts for national or subregional meetings to an indicative $100,000 for meeting with global participation. For such meetings to be held in 1998, additional voluntary contributions to the General Trust Fund would be required. Meetings to be planned for 1999 or 2000 will require the necessary allocation in the budget of the General Trust Fund for the period from 1999 onwards.

Operational objective 1.2: To develop guidelines for ecosystem evaluation and assessment, paying attention to the need to identify and select indicators, including social and abiotic indicators, that distinguish between natural and human-induced effects.

Activities:

(a)	To identify existing organizations and initiatives;

(b)	To convene workshops to identify and select key indicators;

(c)	To promote exchange of information and experience using appropriate mechanisms; and

(d)	To collaborate with relevant organizations in the preparation of guidelines.

Time schedule: 1998-2000

Ways and means: The activities should be carried out by the Secretariat under the guidance of SBSTTA, as part of the work programme on indicators, monitoring and assessment and in collaboration with relevant organizations.

Budgetary implications: Budgetary implications will be defined in conjunction with the adoption of a future work programme of SBSTTA on indicators, monitoring and assessment. The indicative average cost of convening workshops with global participation is $100,000 per meeting. There are no specific provisions for capacity-building expenditure (e.g., for the organization of training courses and workshops) in the budget of the General Trust Fund for 1997-1998.

Programme element 2. Marine and coastal living resources

Rationale:	Very little is currently known about the loss of genetic, species and ecosystem diversity in marine and coastal ecosystems. A significant number of marine species have suffered population decline in recorded history and this process continues. Ecosystems have been degraded and, from the loss of populations, it is reasonable to infer that there has been a consequent loss of genetic diversity. The overall goal is to achieve conservation and long-term sustainable use of marine and coastal living resources in a manner that satisfies human needs and guarantees the integrity of ecosystems.

Operational objective 2: To promote ecosystem approaches to the

sustainable use of marine and coastal living resources, including the identification of key variables or interactions, for the purpose of assessing and monitoring, first, components of biological diversity; second, the sustainable use of such components; and, third, ecosystem effects.

Activities:

(a)	To develop collaborative links with relevant organizations and institutions;

(b)	To promote the exchange of information and experience using appropriate mechanisms;

(c)	To develop and promote ecosystem approaches compatible with the sustainable use of marine and coastal living resources;

(d)	To promote the identification both of components of the ecosystems which are critical to the functioning of the ecosystem and of key threats;

(e)	To promote capacity-building at national and regional levels; and

(f)	To carry out a study on the effects of stock enhancement on marine and coastal biological diversity.

Time schedule: 1998-2000

Ways and means: The activities should be undertaken throughout the three-year period in collaboration with relevant organizations and institutions. The information dissemination aspects should be included in the work plan of the clearing-house mechanism unit. The Secretariat shall attempt to establish an informal inter-agency task force for this work.

Budgetary implications: The establishment of an informal inter-agency task force, while providing for savings against future additional human resource needs within the Secretariat, will entail communications and travel costs. There are no specific provisions for such expenditure in the budget of the General Trust Fund for 1997-1998, as set out in decision III/24. Possible indicative costs might be $5,000 per annum for communications and $20,000 for staff travel to inter-agency meetings and to service meetings. Relevant organizations are invited to conduct the study, within the framework of existing cooperative arrangements. Additional contributions from parties, countries and organizations in the organization of capacity-building activities are expected.

Programme element 3. Marine and coastal protected areas

Rationale: Marine and coastal protected areas are useful and important tools of effective biological diversity conservation strategies. Individual protected areas can serve many conservation-related and sustainable-use functions by enhancing critical habitats, ecological features or processes, special or unique sites or features, ecologically representative or typical habitats, and control areas for research and monitoring. To be effective, however, such protected areas have to be integrated into wider strategies for preventing adverse effects to marine and coastal ecosystems from external activities and have to take into consideration, inter alia, the sustainable use of resources and the needs of stakeholders.

Operational objective 3.1: To facilitate research and monitoring activities related to the value and the effects of marine and coastal protected areas or similarly restricted management areas on sustainable use of marine and coastal living resources.

Activities:

(a)	To collaborate with relevant organizations in the preparation of project proposals;

(b)	To work with relevant organizations to identify pilot projects;

(c)	To conduct a desk study to gather and assimilate information; and

(d)	To facilitate Parties, countries or international/regional organizations in conducting research on the effects of marine and coastal protected areas on population size and dynamics, subject to national legislation.

Time schedule : 1998 - 2000

Ways and means: The Secretariat, in collaboration with relevant organizations and agencies, involving also funding agencies or donor countries, will facilitate and assist in the preparation of project documents and identify pilot projects for research and monitoring, as well as conduct the desk study. The projects should be undertaken by Parties and countries or competent organizations. Within the Secretariat, the clearing-house mechanism will play a key role. The Secretariat, using the roster of experts on marine and coastal biodiversity, will select the names of an ad hoc technical expert group and elaborate the terms of reference for it, both to be endorsed by SBSTTA. The working group will carry out its activities under SBSTTA.

Budgetary implications: There are no specific provisions for such expenditure in the budget of the General Trust Fund for 1997-1998, as laid out in decision III/24. Possible indicative costs might be $5,000 per annum for communications. Additional voluntary contributions are needed from Parties or donor countries or funding agencies to fund the projects, the amount depending on the number, nature and scale of the projects.

Operational objectives 3.2: To develop guidance on criteria for, and operational aspects of, marine and coastal protected areas.

Activities:

(a)	To compile research findings on relevant aspects of marine and coastal protected areas through existing relevant literature, bibliographies and information networks;

(b)	To facilitate the exchange of information on relevant incentive measures, inter alia, through the clearing-house mechanism and regional workshops;

(c)	To assist the development of national and regional capacity-building;

(d)	To provide information on relevant legal and institutional issues, having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other related international agreements;

(e)	To assist the development of appropriate education and public awareness programmes at all levels;

(f)	To assist the exchange of information between sites aimed at networking;

(g)	To provide guidance on maintenance and wider application of local and traditional knowledge; and

(h)	To identify the linkages between conservation and sustainable use.

Time schedule: 1998-2000

Ways and means: The activities should be undertaken within a three-year period. The basis for undertaking these activities should be collaboration between the Secretariat, under the guidance of SBSTTA, and relevant international, national and non-governmental organizations. The creation of an informal task force may be an appropriate mechanism, conducting its work through regular communication and through periodic meetings as required. The clearing-house mechanism will play a key role.

Budgetary implications: There are no specific provisions for such expenditure in the budget of the General Trust Fund for 1997-1998, as laid out in decision III/24. Possible indicative costs might be $5,000 per annum for communications and $20,000 for staff travel to inter-agency meetings and to service meetings.

Programme element 4. Mariculture

Rationale:	Mariculture offers possibilities for sustainable protein-rich food production and for the economic development of local populations, but poses risk for marine and coastal biological diversity.

Operational objectives: To assess the consequences of mariculture on marine and coastal biological diversity and promote techniques which minimize adverse impact.

Activities:

(a)	To provide guidance on criteria, methods and techniques which avoid the adverse effects of mariculture on marine and coastal biological diversity;

(b)	To collect and disseminate information, data, literature and bibliography relevant to the operational objective and best practice of successful sustainable mariculture; and

(c)	To evaluate the current state of knowledge on the effects of mariculture on marine and coastal biological diversity.

Time schedule: 1999-2000

Ways and means:	Coordination of this programme of activities within the Secretariat creates the need for a professional with specific high-level expertise. This need could probably best be met through the secondment by a Party or specialized institution of an appropriate professional. To be successful and cost effective, the work would need to draw upon specialist scientific knowledge worldwide. It would thus need to be supported by the establishment of an ad hoc technical experts group under SBSTTA, taking into consideration the roster of experts. Operational aspects thus suggest that this work be undertaken from 1999 towards.

Budgetary implications: The secondment to the Secretariat of a specialist professional would entail a voluntary contribution by the Party or institution in question, without costs to the General Trust Fund. Coordination activities will entail communications costs of $5,000 per annum. The indicative cost of convening meetings of ad hoc expert groups would be $100,000 for a meeting of 15 experts, with due regard to the need for geographical balance. For such meetings to be planned for 1999 or 2000 will require the necessary allocation in the period from 1999 onwards.

Programme element 5. Alien species and genotypes

Rationale: While some eradication and control technology options exist for alien species and genotypes in marine and coastal environment, the most effective strategy for limiting their effects on biological diversity is to prevent their introduction.

Operational objective 5.1: To achieve better understanding of the impact on biological diversity of the introduction of alien species and genotypes, with particular attention to the characteristics of the species and of the recipient ecosystems.

Activities:

(a)	To analyse and disseminate information, data and case studies on the subject;

(b)	To develop collaboration with relevant organizations; and

(c)	To ensure exchange of information and experience, using appropriate mechanisms.

Time schedule: 1998 - 2000

Ways and means: The Secretariat, under the guidance of SBSTTA, will seek the assistance of relevant organizations through an informal inter-agency task force. In particular, the options will be investigated for collaboration with the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE), the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Invasive Species Specialist Group in the development of a global strategy and action plan. In carrying out this work, it is expected that Parties or specialized institutions will second a specialist.

Budgetary implications: The staffing of the Jakarta Mandate unit may need to be strengthened from 1999 onwards, to take account of this work. This need could be met through the secondment by a Party or specialized institution of an appropriate professional, which would entail a voluntary contribution by the Party or specialized institution in question, without cost to the General Trust Fund. An indicative budget for a technical workshop of fifteen experts selected with due regard to geographical representation and service by the Secretariat would be $100,000. For conferences, the cost is likely to be considerably higher. An allocation for this purpose will require the necessary allocation in the budget for the period from 1999 onwards.

Operational objective 5.2: To identify gaps in existing and proposed legal instruments and guidelines related to the introduction of alien species and genotypes, including a process to deal with reckless or deliberate introductions of alien species and genotypes, especially where transboundary effects have occurred.

Activities:

(a)	To request views of Parties and other bodies on the linkages between biological diversity-related matters, and on the possible need for additional legal instruments, particularly in regard to reckless or deliberate introductions; and

(b)	To analyse the views for the purpose of identifying gaps.

Time schedule: 1998-2000

Ways and means: The activities will be carried out by the Secretariat over the three-year period, in collaboration with Parties and other relevant bodies. A conference with global participation is expected to be held in 1999. It is anticipated that the peer review process will be followed for the output of this programme activity.

Budgetary implications: Possible indicative costs might be $5,000 per annum for communications in order to facilitate the process. Budget implication for convening the conference could be very high. It is expected that a Party or specialized institution will be able to host the conference. An allocation of $20,000 for staff travel servicing the conference will be required in the budget for the period from 1999 onwards.

Operational objective 5.3: To establish an "incident list" on introductions of alien species and genotypes through the national reporting process.

Activities:

(a)	To distil references of incidents from the national reports; and

(b)	To make the information available through the clearing-house mechanism;

Time schedule: Pending decision on the intervals and forms of subsequent national reports.

Ways and means: Additional staff time within the national reports unit and the clearing-house mechanism unit.

Budgetary implications: No budgetary implication.

Programme element 6. General

Rationale: The Executive Secretary should pursue further collaborative linkages with a wide range of agencies and organizations whose mandates and activities are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication and to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness in carrying out the work.

Operational objective 6.1: To assemble a database on ongoing case studies through a cooperative approach with relevant organizations and bodies, with special emphasis on integrated marine and coastal areas management.

Activities:

(a)	To identify sources of relevant information;

(b)	To request inputs from Parties, countries and relevant organizations and bodies;

(c)	To carry out desk evaluations of available information and to disseminate the findings.

Time schedule: 1998-2000

Ways and means: Activities will be carried out by the Secretariat, involving collaboration between the Jakarta Mandate unit and the clearing-house mechanism unit.

Budgetary implications: Additional staff time within the clearing-house mechanism unit associated with the design of appropriate databases and posting information.

Operational objective 6.2: To develop a database of experts taking the roster as a starting point, to be available for the development and implementation of specific elements of national policies on marine and coastal biological diversity, giving full recognition to the importance of taxonomy and following closely the development of the Global Taxonomic Initiative. Special consideration should be given to regional perspectives and the setting up of regional centres of taxonomic expertise, as well as to the taxonomy efforts of other intergovernmental programmes, agencies and relevant institutions.

Activities:

(a)	To maintain and update regularly a database of experts on marine and coastal biological diversity, taking the roster as a starting point;

(b)	To make the information available through the clearing-house mechanism; and

(c)	To promote the strengthening of taxonomic expertise at regional and national levels.

Time schedule: Ongoing

Ways and means: Part of ongoing activities of the Secretariat, involving collaboration between the Jakarta Mandate unit and the clearing-house mechanism unit. The Secretariat will also keep in contact with relevant organizations, in particular those which deal with taxonomic issues.

Budgetary implications: No significant budgetary implications, except for additional staff time within the clearing-house mechanism unit associated with the design of the database and of the Jakarta Mandate homepage.

Table 1

PROPOSED ACTIONS RELATED TO THE PROGRAMME OF WORK ON

MARINE AND COASTAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (1998-2000)

Operational objectives Products Timetables Ways and means Budget (US$) 1.1 • Review of the ICAM instruments and guidelines for IMCAM for the implementation of the Jakarta Mandate 1988-2000 • Secretariat in collaboration with an informal inter-agency task force a/ • List of IMCAM focal points and information report on IMCAM • To invite Parties to submit names of focal points (whenever national IMCAM programmes and plans exist) and to present this list to COP5

• To gather information on IMCAM programmes and plans that include a biodiversity component and report to COP5 $25,000 p.a. (staff travel and

communication) • Report of the meeting(s)

• Recommendations for IMCAM implementation at the national and regional levels • Convening meetings of stakeholders $100,000 each meeting

Voluntary contributions from Parties, countries and organizations 1.2 • Technical guidelines for ecosystem evaluation and assessment, including identification and selection of best indicators 1998-2000 • Secretariat, pending COP approval for work programme on indicators; monitoring and assessment; and in collaboration with relevant organizations a/ • Report of the meeting(s) • Convening the meeting(s) $100,000 each meeting 2 • Information exchange system on sustainable ecosystem approach relevant to the Jakarta Mandate 1998-2000 • Secretariat to build the system and gather inputs from Parties a/ • Formulation for capacity-building programme • Secretariat in consultation with other relevant organizations Voluntary contributions from Parties, countries in capacity-building activities; co-sponsorship by other organizations • Report of study on the effects of stock enhancement • To invite relevant organizations to carry out the study, within the framework of existing cooperative arrangements Costs of study to be covered by participating organizations • To establish an informal inter-agency task force $25,000 p.a. (staff travel and comm.) 3.1 • Project proposals 1998-2000 • Secretariat to assist in the development of project proposals on the use of MCPA for the purpose of Jakarta Mandate in collaboration with relevant organizations a/ • Pilot projects • Research in MCPA to be developed by Parties/countries or organizations Voluntary contributions • Desk study report • Secretariat to carry out a desk study • Reports on effects of MCPA on populations size and dynamics • Establishment of ad hoc technical expert group under SBSTTA $5,000 p.a. (communication) 3.2 • Compilation of research findings on aspects of MCPA that are relevant to Jakarta Mandate;

• Facilitation for exchange of information on relevant incentive measures;

• Assistance in the developments of national and regional (capacity-building, education and public awareness);

• Information document on relevant legal and institutional issues;

• Exchange of information among MCPA sites;

• Formulation of wider application of local and traditional knowledge;

• Guidance on criteria on operational aspects of MCPA. 1998-2000 • Secretariat in collaboration with relevant organizations;

• Establishment of an informal task force a/

$25,000 p.a. (staff travel and comm.) 4 • Assessment on the consequences of mariculture on biodiversity 1999-2000 • Secretariat and expert seconded a/

Voluntary contribution for secondment of expert • Guidelines on mariculture practices having no adverse impact on biodiversity;

• Report of the meeting(s) • Convening meeting(s) of experts $100,000 each meeting • Compilation of information and data relevant to the operational objective and best practices • Inter-agency task force of ad hoc technical experts group, under SBSTTA $5,000 p.a. (communication) 5.1 • Analysis of information, data and case study 1998-2000 • Secretariat and seconded expert a/

Voluntary contribution for secondment • Collaborative linkages with relevant organizations, in particular towards the development of a global strategy and action plan

• Exchange of information • Collaboration with relevant organizations e.g., SCOPE, ICES and IUCN • Report of the workshop(s) • Convening technical meeting(s)/workshop(s) $100,000 each meeting 5.2 • Identification of gaps in legal instruments and guidelines 1998-2000 • Secretariat a/ • Process to deal with reckless or deliberate introductions • Collaboration with relevant organizations and the involvement of the experts from the roster $25,000 p.a. (staff travel and comm.) • Report of the workshop(s) or conference • Convening a technical meeting(s)/workshop(s) Voluntary contribution to host the meeting(s)/workshop(s) 5.3 • Incident list on introductions of alien species and genotypes to be determined • Secretariat a/ 6.1 • Database of ongoing case studies on IMCAM 1998-2000 • Secretariat a/ 6.2 • Database of experts ongoing • Secretariat a/ • Facilitation for further setting up of regional centres of taxonomic expertise • Secretariat with the assistance of relevant organizations Note:	a/	The Jakarta Mandate Unit is expected to be fully staffed in accordance with decision III/24, at the time of COP4. No additional budgetary implication needed if the budgetary provision for these posts is carried forward for the period 1999-2000.

V. RECOMMENDATION

The Conference of the Parties is invited to adopt the proposed three-year work programme.

The Conference of the Parties is invited to urge Parties, countries, relevant organizations and donor agencies to contribute to the implementation of specific elements of the work programme.

Annex I

LIST OF COUNTRIES HAVING SUBMITTED NAMES TO THE ROSTER OF EXPERTS ON MARINE AND COASTAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (as of 1 July 1997)

1. Antigua and Barbuda

2. Argentina

3. Australia

4. Austria

5. Bahamas

6. Barbados

7. Belgium

8. Belize

9. Benin

10. Brazil

11. Brunei Darussalam

12. Cambodia

13. Chile

14. China

15. Colombia

16. Cook Islands

17. Costa Rica

18. Croatia

19. Cuba

20. Cyprus

21. Denmark

22. Dominica

23. Ecuador

24. Egypt

25. European Commission 1/

26. Finland

27. France

28. Georgia

29. Germany

30. Ghana

31. Greece

32. Iceland

33. India

34. Indonesia

35. Ireland

36. Israel

37. Japan

38. Jordan

39. Kenya

40. Latvia

41. Lithuania

42. Madagascar

43. Marshall Islands

44. Mexico

45. Morocco

46. Netherlands

47. New Zealand

48. Nicaragua

49. Nigeria

50. Norway

51. Pakistan

52. Peru

53. Philippines

54. Republic of Korea

55. Republic of Moldova

56. Russian Federation

57. Saint Lucia

58. Senegal

59. Seychelles

60. Singapore

61. Slovakia

62. South Africa

63. Sri Lanka

64. Sweden

65. Switzerland

66. Syria

67. Thailand

68. Tunisia

69. Turkey

70. Ukraine

71. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

72. United Republic of Tanzania

73. Uruguay

74. Viet Nam

75. Zimbabwe

1/	Regional economic integration organization.

Annex II

List of organizations having submitted names to the roster

of experts on marine and coastal biological diversity

(as at 1 July 1997)

Bahamas National Trust

British Columbia Aboriginal Fisheries Commission, Canada

Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

Comite Nacional Pro Defensa de la Fauna Flora, Chile

Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD)

Futuro Latino Americano, Ecuador

International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM)

International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)

International Marine Biodiversity Development Corporation

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

Pacific Science Association

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)

University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute

Wetland International Indonesian Programme, Indonesia

World Conservation Union (IUCN)

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

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