Search Results

Peer-review of the Draft Updated Synthesis of the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biodiversity

Reference: SCBD/SAM/DC/JL/JM/83041 (2014-004)
To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; relevant scientific groups; other relevant organizations; and indigenous and local communities

Peer-review of the Draft Voluntary Guidelines for the Consideration of Biodiversity in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) in Marine and Coastal Areas

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JM/JLe/rg/78095 (2011-212)
To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points; other Governments; relevant organizations

The Secretariat has prepared, with the assistance of a team of consultants, draft voluntary guidelines for the consideration of biodiversity in EIAs and SEAs in marine and coastal areas using the guidance in Annexes II, III and IV to the Manila Workshop Report (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/14/INF/5). In prep ...

Peer-review of the prototype CBD EBSA repository

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JM/JLe/JG/77653 (2011-194)
To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points; other Governments; FAO; UNDOALOS; UNESCO–IOC; OBIS; ISA; UNEP-WCMC; GOBI; other relevant organizations

The Secretariat has developed a prototype repository, with financial support from the Government of Germany, in consultation with relevant organizations. This prototype repository is accessible at http://ebsa-review.cbd.int/ for your review and testing of the system.

Persian Gulf National Day: Let’s protect precious marine environment

The day marks the anniversary of forcing out the Portuguese navy of the Strait of Hormuz in the Capture of Ormuz (1622). The Persian Gulf has an area of about 241,000 square kilometers. Its length is some 990 km, and its width varies from a maximum of about 340 km to a minimum of 55 km in the St ...

Planning Meeting on the Development of a UNEP Module for the Assessment of the Marine Environment

19 - 21 November 2003, Nairobi, Kenya

Podcast: What can seashells tell us about the health of the oceans?

On today’s episode of the Mongabay Newscast we discuss what seashells can tell us about the state of the world’s oceans, and we hear about the challenges facing the Philippines’ marine protected area system.

Policy Options for Access and Benefit-sharing and Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources

11 February 2021, Online

Pollution-proof fish borrow genes from relatives to survive toxins

In comic books, falling into a vat of toxic chemicals can give you super powers. The same is sort of true for one species of fish – with help from a superhero relative.

Portugal

Voluntary Report on Implementation of the Programme of Work on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity

Portugal Establishes the Largest Fully Protected Marine Reserve in Europe

Today the government of Portugal expanded a marine protected area around the Selvagens Islands, creating the largest fully protected marine reserve in Europe at 2,677 square kilometers. The Selvagens islands are a small archipelago in the North Atlantic located midway between Madeira and the Can ...

Portuguese PM calls on UN Oceans conference to produce ‘drastic actions’

The UN Oceans Conference, which is set to run until Friday in Lisbon, should define “drastic actions” to address the ocean emergency, Prime Minister António Costa tweeted on Tuesday after meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Lisbon.

Postponement of the online discussion forum on conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity in preparation for the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. New dates: 8-15 June 2022

Reference: SCBD/SSSF/JL/JA/JMQ/90315 (2022-036)
To: CBD National Focal Points; Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points; SBSTTA Focal Points; indigenous peoples and local communities; and relevant organizations

Preah Sihanouk eyes underwater tourism

Preah Sihanouk province has set its sights on underwater tourism, as a new way to lure in national and international tourists, and open an ocean of rich biodiversity and scuba diving experiences to enthusiasts and beginners alike, according to tourism officials and experts.

Predator-proof fence: 10km barrier to be built across Wilsons Promontory to protect native wildlife

A 10km fence to keep out foxes, deers and cats will be built across the Yanakie isthmus on Victoria’s Wilsons Promontory to create a 50,000-hectare native wildlife sanctuary.

Presentation and discussion of the book on "Governance for Fisheries and Marine Conservation".

Two editors of the book and several of its authors will be presenting the book followed by questions and discussions by the audience. The book is coming out this month and will be officially launched in Oslo, Norway, August 26 2014.

Presentation of the Marine Protected Areas Gap Analysis

In 2004, the 7th Conference of Parties (COP7) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) drafted the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) to support the establishment and maintenance of comprehensive, effectively managed, and ecologically representative national and regional systems ...

Press Release: The 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly has recognized the importance of recent decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), including those dealing with implementation of the global oceans agenda and realization of the outcomes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development “Rio + 20” - “the future we want.”

Press Release: Atlantic seamount becomes the first case added to international repository of ecologically or biologically significant marine areas

Press Release: Future Policy Award celebrates solutions to save oceans and coasts: 31 policies from 22 countries and regions nominated

Press Release: How can we save the world’s oceans and coasts? Five countries’ ocean and coastal policies shortlisted for the 2012 Future Policy Award.

Press Release: Ocean Acidification from CO2 Emissions Causes Substantial Irreversible Damage to Ocean Ecosystems.

Preventing devastation on the high seas – and beneath them

For meaningful protection of the forgotten half of our planet, NZ must ensure the world is ambitious when negotiations for the High Seas treaty conclude at the United Nations, writes Helen Clark

Priority Actions to Achieve Aichi Biodiversity Target 10 for Coral Reefs and Closely Associated Ecosystems

This side event will highlight the importance of coral reefs and associated ecosystems (e.g., mangroves, seagrasses) for sustainable development and the need to enhance action towards Aichi Target 10. The main aspects of the Priority Actions to Achieve Aichi Biodiversity Target 10 for Coral Reef ...

Probing the mysteries of deep, dense Antarctic seawater

In the deepest reaches of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica lies the Antarctic Bottom Water, a mass of the coldest, densest lower layer of water in Earth's oceans.

Protected reefs in Pilar, Sorsogon see notable increase in fish populat

The protected reefs off the coast of Pilar town in Sorsogon have seen a notable increase in fish population, two years after the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines led a study on the extent of damage suffered by the reefs.

Protecting Colombia’s shark paradise: Q&A with Sandra Bessudo

500 kilometers (310 miles) off the Pacific coast of Colombia lies Malpelo Island, a barren rock that marks the center of the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary World Heritage Site. While Malpelo is virtually devoid of vegetation larger than a shrub, it is considered a biological treasure for its ...

Protecting biodiversity in the North-East Atlantic

Description of areas meeting EBSAs criteria in North-East Atlantic region, building upon the Hyeres workshop in response to SBSTTA 16 recommendation, including the roadmap for the future refinement and finalization of Hyeres report, and the current status of the OSPAR MPA network.

Protecting living corals could help defend the Great Barrier Reef from ocean acidification for decades

As humans continue to emit record levels of carbon dioxide, we are putting marine habitats at risk. One consequence of these emissions, ocean acidification, is a serious threat to many undersea environments—especially coral reefs.

Protecting the Pacific's endangered marine species using artificial intelligence

Using artificial intelligence, scientists are making progress toward protecting endangered species that are not meant to be caught.

Protecting the biodiversity of Colombia's unique wetlands

When the river Magdalena in Colombia bursts its banks the water flows into a ciénaga, a unique wetland bursting with invaluable biodiversity. Today, climate change has put this under threat.

Protecting the ocean would solve climate, food and biodiversity crises. Can countries get fisheries on board?

Marine protection offers a combined solution to several of humanity’s most pressing challenges as global heating intensifies and fisheries struggle. But how can governments convince communities that conservation gains are worth waiting for?

Protecting the world’s vanishing coral reefs

As soon as he could walk, Tom Goreau ’70 was swimming in the warm waters off Jamaica, where he grew up. He recalls water so consistently clear and blue he could see all the way down to the corals and marine life blanketing the bottom. His dad would dive below, releasing streams of bubbles that G ...

Protection Pioneers of the Baltic Sea – joining regional forces in marine biodiversity protection

The best inventions are often first discovered in smaller scale, pilot projects, and test rounds – locally, or regionally, instead of globally. If these are, at the same time, closely connected to Governments, science communities and the commercial sector of several countries, the chances for su ...

Public grasps threat to ocean even as leaders fail to meet targets, poll finds

As people mark World Oceans Day today, an overwhelming 94% of people in England and Wales believe the fate of the oceans and humans are inextricably linked, while more than half rate global ocean health as “poor or very poor”, according to a government survey.

Q&A with EDF's Eric Schwaab: How do we manage fisheries in the midst of climate change?

The world’s oceans are the ultimate global commons, and as such, profits have been realised privately, but costs are borne by the public, with often the most marginalised and disadvantaged facing the greatest burdens.

Quantitive Ecosystem Indicators for Fisheries Management

31 March - 3 April 2004, Paris, France

Quintana Roo’s coral reefs in state of alert

Specialists seek to reverse the massive death of corals with a special treatment against the disease known as “white syndrome”, which could bring a highly negative impact in the local and regional economy in the medium term.

R E V I S I O N: Expert Workshop on ecological criteria and biogeographic classification systems for marine areas in need of protection, 2-4 October 2007, Azores, Portugal - Composition of the Group

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JL/ac/57414 (2007-080)
To: CBD National Focal Points and relevant organizations

Pursuant to Decision VIII/24, paragraph 46, of the Conference of the Parties, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is convening an expert workshop on ecological criteria and biogeographic classification systems for marine areas in need of protection, from 2 to 4 Octobe ...

REMINDER AND CHANGE OF DATES: Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Capacity-Building Workshop for West Africa (4 to 8 February 2013) and South-Eastern Atlantic Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (8 to 12 April 2013)

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JL/JG/80877 (2012-141)
To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points of West African coastal and island Parties

REMINDER AND CHANGE OF DATES: Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Capacity-Building Workshop for West Africa (4 to 8 February 2013) and South-Eastern Atlantic Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (8 to 12 April 2013)

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JL/JG/80877 (2012-142)
To: Competent organizations and regional initiatives, including regional seas conventions and action plans, and regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) in West Africa

REMINDER: Caribbean and Mid-Atlantic Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), 28 February to 2 March 2012, Brazil

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JM/JLe/JG/77432 (2011-207)
To: National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points in Greater Caribbean and Western Mid-Atlantic Region; other Governments; competent organizations and regional initiatives

Reference is made to the earlier notification (2011-166), dated 7 September 2011, regarding the nomination of experts to the Caribbean and Mid-Atlantic Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), 28 February to 2 March 2012, i ...

REMINDER: Deadline for Nomination of Experts to the Western South Pacific Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), 22-25 November 2011, Fiji

Reference: SCBD/STTM/JM/JLe/rg/77026 (2011-160)
To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points in Western South Pacific Region; other Governments; competent organizations and regional initiatives

Reference is made to the earlier notification (2011-136) sent on 22 July 2011 regarding the nomination of experts to the Western South Pacific regional workshop to facilitate the description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), which will take place from 22 to 25 Nov ...

Rare pictures uncover diverse marine life at Ningaloo Reef

Researchers at The University of Western Australia have collected rare imagery revealing rich marine biodiversity at Ningaloo Reef, after deploying baited underwater cameras to analyze various fish species.

Record low wild salmon catch in Scotland alarms ecologists

Salmon anglers have called for urgent action to protect Scotland’s wild salmon after the lowest number on record were caught last year.

Record seaweed blooms cut tourism, hurt beaches in Florida, Caribbean

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Record amounts of seaweed this summer have caused historic damage to beaches and cut tourism in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean, researchers and public officials say.

Record-Warm Oceans: How Worried Should We Be?

The world's oceans are heating up. Scientists have found that 2018 was the hottest year ever recorded for our oceans, and that they are warming even faster than previously thought.

Red Sea’s coral reefs face existential threat from overfishing

The coral reefs at the Red Sea reserves are in grave danger as a result of rising environmental violations including illegal fishing by trawlers, whose nets threaten Egypt’s national wealth of coral reefs and wildlife and have harmed sea turtle and dolphin populations.

Reef fish are faring fine in eastern Indonesia, study suggests

The coral reefs of the lesser Sunda-Banda seascape in southeastern Indonesia host some of the planet’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems, which remain relatively untouched even as overfishing ravages sea life to the country’s west and all over the world.

Region of ‘Super Corals’ Discovered

In 2019, a hydrology professor at The University of Texas at Austin set out on a research project to see if he could identify harmful nutrients flowing through groundwater into a delicate coral reef sanctuary in the Philippines.

Regional Training Workshop for the Caribbean on Marine World Heritage Nominations

27 February - 3 March 2006, Soufriere, Saint Lucia