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The future of the world’s oceans is our future. Yet the present state of the oceans is troubling.

World Oceans Day 2017: "Our Oceans Our Future"

8 June 2017, New York, United States of America

Twenty-seventh Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UN/DOALOS)

12 - 16 June 2017, New York, United States of America

Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Training of Trainers Workshop, 25 - 29 September 2017 – Seocheon, Republic of Korea

Reference: SCBD/SPS/SBG/JL/JA/JMQ/86366 (2017-057)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points

Nomination of Experts to Participate in the Informal Advisory Group for Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/JL/JG/86569 (2017-058)
To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, and Marine and Coastal Biodiversity National Focal Points; relevant organizations; and indigenous peoples and local communities

First Meeting of the Informal Working Group for the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Global Dialogue

28 - 29 June 2017, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Statement by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on behalf of the Executive Secretary at the 4th Session of the Preparatory Committee established by General Assembly resolution 69/292, New York, United States of America, 10 – 21 July 2017

Statement by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on behalf of the Executive Secretary at the 4th Session of the Preparatory Committee established by General Assembly resolution 69/292: Development of an International Legally Binding Instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, New York, United States of America, 10 – 21 July 2017

Submission of information on experiences in the use of measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate the significant adverse impacts of anthropogenic underwater noise on marine and coastal biodiversity

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/SBG/JL/JA/86794 (2017-082)
To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points; International Maritime Organization; International Seabed Authority; Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals; International Whaling Commission; other relevant organizations; indigenous peoples and local communities

Submission of information on experiences in the implementation of marine spatial planning

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/SBG/JL/JA/86795 (2017-083)
To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, International Maritime Organization, International Seabed Authority, United Nations Environment Programme, regional seas conventions and action plans, regional fishery bodies, indigenous peoples and local communities; other relevant organizations, initiatives and stakeholders

Submission of Information on National Experiences and Lessons Learned in the Development, and Effective and Equitable Management, of Marine Protected Areas and other Effective Area based Conservation Measures

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/JL/JG/86710 (2017-084)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, POWPA Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, relevant United Nations/international organizations, Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, Regional Fisheries Bodies, IPLCs and other relevant organizations

Selected participants for the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Training of Trainers Workshop, 25 to 29 September 2017 - Seocheon, Republic of Korea

Reference: SCBD/SPS/SBG/JL/JMQ/86366 (2017-088)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points

Expert workshop to develop options for modifying the description of areas meeting the criteria for ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs), for describing new areas, and for strengthening the scientific credibility and transparency of the EBSA process, 5-8 December 2017 – Berlin, Germany

Reference: SCBD/SPS/SBG/JL/JG/86798 (2017-086)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, relevant United Nations/international organizations, Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, Regional Fisheries Bodies, IPLCs and other relevant organizations

Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Training of Trainers Workshop

25 - 29 September 2017, Seocheon, Republic of Korea

Expert workshop on marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures for achieving Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 in marine and coastal areas, 6-9 February 2018 - Montreal, Canada

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/SBG/JL/JG/86837 (2017-098)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, POWPA Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, relevant United Nations/international organizations, Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, Regional Fisheries Bodies, IPLCs and other relevant organizations

Submission of information to support the objectives of the expert workshop to develop options for modifying the description of areas meeting the criteria for ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs), for describing new areas, and for strengthening the scientific credibility and transparency of the EBSA process, 5-8 December 2017 - Berlin, Germany

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/SBG/JL/JG/86798 (2017-107)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, Convention on Migratory Species, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Maritime Organization, International Seabed Authority, Ramsar Convention, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Heritage Convention, relevant United Nations/international organizations, Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, Regional Fisheries Bodies, indigenous peoples and local communities; other relevant organizations

Selected participants for the expert workshop to develop options for modifying the description of areas meeting the criteria for ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs), for describing new areas, and for strengthening the scientific credibility and transparency of the EBSA process, 5-8 December 2017 – Berlin, Germany

Reference: SCBD/SPS/SBG/JL/JG/86798 (2017-120)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, relevant United Nations/international organizations, Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, Regional Fisheries Bodies, indigenous peoples and local communities

Submission of information on experiences in mainstreaming biodiversity in fisheries

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/SBG/JL/JA/86977 (2017-121)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, regional fishery bodies, indigenous peoples and local communities

CBD Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) in the Baltic Sea, 20 to 24 February 2018, and Training Session on EBSAs, 19 February 2018, Helsinki, Finland

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/JL/JG/86986 (2017-122)
To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points and Marine and Coastal biodiversity Focal Points in the Baltic Sea region (Denmark, Estonia, European Union, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russian Federation, Sweden); HELCOM; indigenous peoples and local communities; relevant regional fisheries bodies; and other relevant global and regional organizations/initiatives

7th International Barcode of Life (iBOL) Conference

20 - 24 November 2017, South Africa

As we all know, the business and environment communities were historically not close allies. It was long believed that economic growth could not be compatible with a healthy environment. Thankfully, that has changed. We now know that the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources is not a barrier to economic growth, but that it makes perfect business sense.

Statement by the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Sustainable Ocean Summit Halifax, Canada, 29 November – 1 December 2017

Expert Workshop to Develop Options for Modifying the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), for Describing New Areas, and for Strengthening the Scientific Credibility and Transparency of this Process

5 - 8 December 2017, Berlin, Germany

Call for information to support the objectives of the Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas in the Baltic Sea, 20 to 24 February 2018, and Training Session on Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas, 19 February 2018 - Helsinki, Finland

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/JL/JG/87042 (2017-140)
To: CBD National Focal Points; SBSTTA Focal Points; Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points; relevant United Nations/international organizations; HELCOM; Regional Fisheries Bodies; indigenous peoples and local communities; and other relevant global and regional organizations/initiatives

Selected participants for the expert workshop on marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures for achieving, Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 in marine and coastal areas, 6-9 February 2018, Montreal, Canada

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/SBG/JL/JMQ/86837 (2018-002)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, POWPA Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, relevant United Nations/international organizations, Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, Regional Fisheries Bodies, IPLCs and other relevant organizations

Peer review – Report of the Expert Workshop to Develop Options for Modifying the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas, for Describing New Areas, and for Strengthening the Scientific Credibility and Transparency of this Process

Reference: SCBD/SPS/DC/JL/JG/87096 (2018-004)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, relevant United Nations/international organizations, IPLCs and other relevant organizations

Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) National Capacity-Building Workshop for Cameroon

17 - 19 January 2018, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Expert Workshop on Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures for Achieving Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 in Marine and Coastal Areas

6 - 9 February 2018, Montreal, Canada

Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas in the Baltic Sea and Training Session on EBSAs

19 - 24 February 2018, Helsinki, Finland

World Water Day 2018: "Nature for Water" (http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/)

22 March 2018, New York, United States of America

Statement by Dr. Cristiana Pașca Palmer, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the opening of the Second Meeting of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fishery Bodies on Accelerating Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 10-13 April 2018

Statement by Dr. Cristiana Pașca Palmer, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the opening of the Second Meeting of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fishery Bodies on Accelerating Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 10-13 April 2018

Second meeting of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fisheries Bodies on Accelerating Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Sustainable Development Goals

10 - 13 April 2018, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Sustainable Ocean Initiative Sub-Regional Capacity-Building Workshop for the Coral Triangle, 31 July – 3 August 2018 – Jakarta, Indonesia

Reference: SCBD/SPS/AS/JL/JA/JMQ/87344 (2018-038)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points in the Coral Triangle region (Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste), indigenous peoples and local communities, and other relevant global and regional organizations/initiatives

No matter where we live, every other breath we take comes from the Ocean’s breath – from the oxygen produced by its phytoplankton and its rich marine plant life.

Message of the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Cristiana Paşca Palmer, on the occasion of World Oceans Day 8 June 2018

World Oceans Day 2018 (http://www.un.org/en/events/oceansday/)

8 June 2018, New York, United States of America

Composition of the informal advisory group for ecologically or biologically significant marine areas

Reference: SCBD/SPS/AS/SBG/JL/JG/86569 (2018-056)
To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, and Marine and Coastal Biodiversity National Focal Points; relevant organizations; and indigenous peoples and local communities

The ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSA) booklet series provide snapshot summaries of the pages upon pages of data compiled by participating experts, to provide an inspiring overview of some of the most ecologically or biologically significant ocean areas in the world. In this edition looking at the North Pacific, discover a region of contrasts, spanning the tips of the tropical waters of the Pacific islands and the warm shores of Mexico, to the windswept cliffs of the Aleutian Islands and the depths of the almost otherworldly deep seabed. It is a dynamic and turbulent region, with churning deep-sea hydrothermal vents, migratory species crossing the vast Pacific, and powerful ocean gyres and currents.

First meeting of the Informal Advisory Group on Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs)

30 June - 1 July 2018, Montreal, Canada

Sustainable Ocean Initiative Capacity-Building Workshop for Northern-Africa and the Mediterranean, 15 – 19 October 2018 – Tangier, Morocco

Reference: SCBD/SPS/AS/SG/JL/JA/JMQ/87396 (2018-062)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points in the northern Africa and the Mediterranean region: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, the European Union, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey; indigenous peoples and local communities; Mediterranean Action Plan/UNEP; General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean; ACCOBAMS; MedPAN, and other relevant global or regional organizations/initiatives

Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Subregional Capacity-building Workshop for the Coral Triangle

31 July - 3 August 2018, Jakarta, Indonesia

Call for submission of information on the implementation of (i) the Priority Actions to Achieve Aichi Biodiversity Target 10 for Coral Reefs and Closely Associated Ecosystems, (ii) the Voluntary Specific Workplan on Biodiversity in Cold-water Areas within the Jurisdictional Scope of the Convention, and (iii) the Voluntary Practical Guidance on Preventing and Mitigating the Impacts of Marine Debris on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity and Habitats

Reference: SCBD/SPS/AS/JL/JA/JMQ/87674 (2018-080)
To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant global and regional organizations/initiatives

World Maritime Day 2018

28 September 2018, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Capacity-building Workshop for Northern Africa and the Mediterranean

15 - 19 October 2018, Tangier, Morocco

California’s Underwater Forests Are Being Eaten by the ‘Cockroaches of the Ocean’

Early on a gray summer Saturday, an unusual assemblage — commercial fishermen, recreational boaters, neoprene-clad divers — gathered for a mission at Albion Cove, a three-hour drive north of San Francisco.

Mysterious ‘Headless Chicken Monster’ Spotted in Ocean Near Antarctica

This is the first time this strange creature was spotted outside the Gulf of Mexico. A group of researchers have filmed a type of sea creature known as a “headless chicken monster” swimming in waters near Antarctica for the first time. The discovery was made as part of an effort to discover new ...

If You Drink Glenmorangie Whisky, You Can Help Rebuild Scotland's Oyster Reefs

In Scotland's highlands, the Glenmorangie whisky distillery has gone beyond merely making whisky and into marine conservation. Working with Heriot Watt University and the Marine Conservation Society, 20,000 oysters will be introduced into the sea near the distillery in the Dornoch Firth - firth ...

Will China cast its vote for Antarctica, and the planet?

Beijing could be the key to unlocking a positive outcome at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), writes American marine biologist Sylvia Earle.

New hope for a Canadian coral reef damaged by bottom trawl fishing gear

Canadian fisheries scientists have discovered a large number of intact colonies of living coral off Cape Breton in a reef complex that had been turned to rubble by decades of bottom trawl fishing gear.