PB DECEMBER 2015 LM DLe Monde diplomatique SUPPLEMENT: OCEANS 2015 INITIATIVE LM DLe Monde diplomatique DECEMBER 2015 I ADAGP, PARIS 2015 CLIMATE DEBATE OVERLOOKS OUR OCEANS The oceans moderate global warming, which in turn has major effects on their ecosystems. Within the framework of the Oceans 2015 Initiative, some 20 researchers from across the world have analysed the risks of impact on marine and coastal ecosystems. They warn that safeguarding our oceans must be a priority of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) in Paris RENÉ DUVILLIER – 'Spray blossom' (1955) Global warming, actors and victims

he ocean covering more than two-thirds BY JEAN-PIERRE GATTUSO AND ALEXANDRE MAGNAN damage to the ocean will occur across all of our planet functions as a “climate latitudes, making this a global concern. Third, integrator”, moderating climate change an immediate and substantial reduction of in two ways. It absorbs most of the organisms (corals, shellfish); many coral to protect marine and coastal ecosystems, emissions of greenhouse gases, especially Theat that accumulates in the atmosphere: it reefs are being bleached by the destruction of restore those that have already been damaged, carbon dioxide (CO2), is vital to prevent has absorbed 93% of the excess heat from the their symbiosis with zooxanthellae (algae); and enable societies that depend on marine irreversible impacts on ocean ecosystems; any increased greenhouse effect (1), at the cost of phytoplankton is declining in warmer waters; the resources to adapt to change. A number of treaty that did not make it possible to limit rises in ocean temperature and level, largely fish food chain is being disturbed; some species approaches are being tested at local level, but global warming to 2°C would have disastrous due to thermal expansion and the melting of the can migrate to cooler waters, but not all. the further we move away from the 2°C target, consequences. Finally, the higher atmospheric Greenland ice cap. It also captures much of the Despite the ocean’s critical role in providing and the warmer and more acidified the ocean CO2 rises, the fewer the options for protecting carbon emissions generated by human activity food security for hundreds of millions of becomes, the less room there is for manoeuvre. the ocean and restoring its ecosystems. (28% since 1750), at the cost of acidification people around the world, international climate For example, the further coral reefs deteriorate, The Oceans 2015 Initiative, noting that the (see graphic, page IV). negotiations under the United Nations Framework the more vulnerable they will become and the ocean has received minimal attention at previous This climate regulating function therefore Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) harder it will be to save them. Some approaches climate conferences, pleads for a radical change comes at a cost, since the ocean deteriorates as have given it minimal attention. To fill this gap, are antagonistic: solar radiation management of perspective: COP 21 must take the necessary it mitigates climate change. The changes in the a number of researchers (2) taking part in the aims to limit global warming by increasing action and propose a new, less destructive plan ocean’s fundamental physics and chemistry, Oceans 2015 Initiative (3) decided to provide the the amount of heat reflected back into space. for civilisation. The future condition of the though less spectacular than the rise in sea negotiators at the Paris climate conference (COP This could undermine efforts to reduce carbon ocean depends on the amount of carbon emitted level, have a considerable impact on marine 21) with a synthesis of past changes and changes emissions and would do nothing to remedy in the coming decades. The more stringent, ecosystems, and consequently on humanity. projected to occur by the end of the century, and of ocean acidification. optimistic scenario allows less than one-sixth Ocean warming and acidification impede the the consequences for marine ecosystems and the Four key messages emerge from the of the emissions expected by the end of the 21st calcification process vital to some marine services they provide. Two contrasting greenhouse Oceans 2015 Initiative’s analysis. First, the century under the pessimistic scenario, without gas emissions scenarios were considered: a ocean strongly influences the climate system regulation. In fact, carbon emissions will need Jean-Pierre Gattuso is CNRS research director continuation of the present rising trend (business- and provides important services to humans. to be even lower since the ocean’s capacity at Pierre and Marie Curie University-Paris as-usual) and, more optimistically, a fall that Second, the deterioration of marine and to absorb will decline over time. The choices VI; Alexandre Magnan is a geographer and would keep the global temperature increase to less coastal ecosystems is already detectable and made at COP 21 will therefore have serious researcher at the Institut du Développement than 2°C in the 21st century. is certain to worsen, even under the optimistic consequences for the ocean. Durable et des Relations Internationales (Iddri), Apart from strict limitation of carbon scenario where global carbon emissions fall According to the Oceans 2015 Initiative Sciences Po, Paris emissions, the international community needs – especially as, no matter what happens, the scenarios, ocean acidity may have risen by 38-150% between the industrial revolution and the end of the 21st century, while average sea level may have risen by 60-86 centimetres between 1901 and 2100. The ocean’s oxygen Five thousand protected areas inventory is projected to decrease, slower or faster depending on the scenario, affecting all forms of marine life. Ocean warming and acidification is already marine or coastal protected area (MCPA), BY FERDINAND MOECK necessary international regulation. The CBD seriously affecting warm-water corals, mid- A as defined by the Convention on Biological does, however, respond to the need for shared latitude seagrass, high-latitude pteropods Diversity (CBD) adopted at the Earth Summit norms that will make it possible to standardise and krill (planktonic crustaceans), mid- in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and signed by 168 Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (2) the concept of MCPAs at global level for the latitude bivalves and finfishes. Even under states, is “any defined area within or adjacent has established a classification system that is first time. If national governments legislate on the optimistic scenario, projections of the to the marine environment, together with its increasingly used by national governments for the basis of the CBD, transnational norms could impact on warm-water corals and mid-latitude overlying water and associated flora, fauna, the definition and registration of protected emerge and help define effective action for bivalves are cause for serious concern. But historical and cultural features, which has areas. Its categories range from I – “strictly protecting all oceans. Continued on page IV been reserved by legislation or other effective controlled and limited [human visitation, The latest report of the UN Environment means, including custom, with the effect use and impacts]” – to VI – “sustainable Programme (UNEP) in partnership with the that its marine and/or coastal biodiversity use of natural resources” – according to the IUCN estimates that MCPAs cover 3.4% of the enjoys a higher level of protection than its objectives of the MCPA in question. The aim global ocean area, and only 0.25% of the ocean surroundings” (1). In response to extreme is to reconcile diverse interests – ecological area outside national jurisdiction (3). This means weather events and the consequences of (biodiversity, ) and socioeconomic just 2% of the world’s oceans are effectively the exploitation of natural resources, the (tourism, , cultural traditions, social protected. The CBD’s strategic plan for 2011-20 creation of MCPAs seeks to limit exploitation resilience of communities dependent on local calls for “at least 10% of marine and coastal (of fish stocks, oil and gas) so as to preserve resources) – and manage MCPAs as sustainable areas” to be covered by MCPAs by 2020 (4). “the sustainable use of [the] components [of and profitable investments for all stakeholders. TRANSLATED BY CHARLES GOULDEN biodiversity], and the fair and equitable sharing There are currently more than 5,000 MCPAs of benefits arising out of the utilisation of around the world. (1) www.cbd.int genetic resources.” The CBD establishes rules that are largely (2) Founded in 1948, the IUCN is the world’s oldest environmental organisation with more than 1,200 member Recognised by international organisations non-binding on states; most of them continue to organisations in 140 countries, including 200 governments or such as the United Nations, the International define MCPAs according to their own legislation. governmental organisations, and 800 NGOs; www.iucn.org This explains the difficulty of protecting (3) UNEP, “Protected Planet Report 2014: tracking progress Ferdinand Moeck is studying political science at international waters, in terms of establishing towards global targets for protected areas”, Cambridge, 2014. the University of Freiburg Secours Populaire Français the legal authority and implementing the (4) CBD, “Aichi Biodiversity Targets”; www.cbd.int/sp/targets http://www.fondation-bertarelli.org II DECEMBER 2015 LM DLe Monde diplomatique SUPPLEMENT: OCEANS 2015 INITIATIVE LM DLe Monde diplomatique DECEMBER 2015 III scale of the challenge. The foreign ministry how much preparation has gone into the Easter of the project, given the historically tense territory. And Chile is a mining superpower, so says illegal fishing is costing the country project. “We’ve been working with the relations between the Chilean government and I’d be surprised if it was prepared to hold back Easter Island’s marine reserve “tens of millions of dollars”, and the maritime Rapa Nui people for three years. We began the islanders, who last summer blockaded the from mining here indefinitely.” services are striving to eradicate it. sending scientists to Easter Island to study national park where the moai statues stand. The Rapa Nui people have not forgotten Captain Mario Montejo, deputy director of fish stocks in 2012.” Pew also helped the Rapa The park is run by Chile’s National Forest the lessons of their history, especially those Last September the US established a huge marine reserve in the Pacific Ocean, covering nearly 1.3m sq km. the Maritime Operations Centre in Valparaíso, Nui present their marine park initiative to the Corporation, which reports directly to the related by Jared Diamond in his controversial explained: “The area to be monitored is Chilean government, as Sara Roe confirmed: agriculture ministry, and was created in the book Collapse: How Societies Choose to The Chilean government and the inhabitants of Easter Island are debating the creation of a ‘marine park’ huge – from the South Pacific to Antarctica. “It started when I met someone from Pew, by 1950s without consulting the Rapa Nui people. Fail or Succeed (Penguin, 2006), which The Chilean government is responsible for chance, at a market on the island. We decided Some, including Mario Tuki, a member of the claims the civilisation that produced the moai monitoring the fourth largest area. We have to work together. Pew enabled us to meet the unofficial Rapa Nui parliament, are protesting statues declined because of the degradation been working for a long time to determine who government and talk things over with them.” that the Chilean government takes too large a it had caused to its own environment. Mayor BY SÉBASTIEN DESLANDES is doing what, and we now have a database of Setting aside the hypothetical role of share – about half – of the entrance fees: “Once Pedro Edmunds says: “On an island, the vessels that we have identified.” TheLafayette , climate change and the phenomena of El Niño I was arrested, along with four other people, consequences of any decision, or failure to

ADAGP, PARIS 2015 299 metres long, was stopped and inspected and La Niña in the decline of fish stocks, Rand for opening a rival ticket office at the airport.” make a decision, are immediate. I’ve often rightly coloured fishing boats came encompassing the existing 150,000-sq km last year. “We can track its movements, even focused on his organisation’s struggle: “We These incidents are a clear indication that wondered what the islanders were thinking as and went, bobbing on the ebb park around the neighbouring island of Salas though its has changed names and is sailing are concentrating on fighting illegal fishing the issues at stake are not limited to the marine they cut down their last tree.” at Hanga Piko, a small port on y Gómez (see map). Within this marine park under a different flag.” Montejo is counting on in waters that are known for their exceptional park. “The moai are part of our history,” said TRANSLATED BY CHARLES GOULDEN Easter Island in the South Pacific. there would be a ban on all fishing. National the resources provided by Catapult, a project biodiversity. Scientists have counted 142 Alberto. “It’s our island, but we are still in a Fishermen waved as one boat set out to sea governments determine the exact form that launched in January, based on new monitoring species, some of them not found anywhere position of weakness. You have to remember (1) The FAO defines subsistence fishing as the catching of B fish for direct consumption by the families of fishermen, in while others landed last night’s catch – tuna, marine protected areas take, but on Easter technology developed by The Pew Charitable else on Earth. And it’s not just about the ocean, that the [moai] park covers 47% of the island, contrast to , where the catch is bought barracuda, lobsters – and tourists looked on in Island and elsewhere the aim is to restrict or Trusts, a US-based NGO, and a British but culture too. Everything is linked.” and the government owns another large section up by middlemen for sale on a wider market. delight. For Sara Roe, president of the Hanga prohibit human activities to prevent the decline company, The Satellite Applications Catapult, “We’re all fishermen here!” Alberto, 41, of it. So most of the Rapa Nui live in town: (2) See FAO, “The State of World and Piko Fishing Association, one of the island’s or disappearance of animal species. which is able to analyse “multiple sources a tourist guide by day, is the proud owner 90% of the population occupies 8% of the 2010”; www.fao.org largest with 60 members, it was a familiar The Rapa Nui hope the project will counter of live satellite tracking data [and link] it to of a small fishing boat. On a warm evening, sight: “Illegal fishing isn’t a recent problem. the threat that illegal fishing presents to the information about a ’s ownership, history sitting in one of Easter Island’s few bars with When I was a girl, my father used to tell us local economy and environment. Rodolfo and country of registration, providing a dossier some friends, he talked of the Rapa Nui’s about the lights of the big he saw out Pérez, adviser to Easter Island’s mayor Pedro of up-to-the-minute data that can alert officials close relationship with the sea: “We belong at sea. We realised how serious the problem Edmunds Paoa in charge of development to suspicious vessel movements.” to the blue continent. We owe everything was in 2004 when there was a sharp fall in projects, explained: “These are highly Pew, an independent non-profit organisation to the sea; we are tied to it – it’s our our catches. It lasted nine years, and some desirable fishing zones because some species, supported by foundations, specialises in the mother, our way of life.” fishermen had to find other work. Families can including tuna, breed here. The park is vital, conservation of the marine environment, The success of the marine park no longer pay for their children to go to school not only for the island’s 150 permanent and works in partnership with the Bertarelli project depends on the extent to or in Chile [to which the island belongs]. We are fishermen but also for its 7,000 inhabitants, Foundation. Like Pew, the Bertarelli Foundation which local people can be made uat Eq fighting to stop other people from taking our and for our traditions.” The Chilean navy has supported the Easter Island project for aware of the issues, and the Easter South Pacific Ocean resources, now and in the future. That’s why reports industrial fishing vessels operating many years; it also supports marine protected involvement of the Rapa Nui °S Island we support the proposal for a marine protected around Easter Island under a wide variety of area projects around Belize and in the Chagos population in its implementation. 15 3 700 km area, though I don’t like the word ‘park’ – I’d flags, including Russian, Chinese, Korean and Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. “We have Professor of marine ecology S 0° CHILE prefer rehui, which means ‘total protection’ in Spanish. Some of these ships are hundreds allocated just under $5m to the Easter Island Carlos Castilla has been working 3 1 90º Rapa Nui [the local language].” RENÉ DUVILLIER – 'Javelins and sea' (1962) of metres long, and Rapa Nui fishermen’s project,” said Bertarelli’s Damian Jensen. “We with Rapa Nui fishermen and Pew 1 0 2 5 0 º W º W There have already been changes: even the associations claim they are responsible for the also want to establish an education centre, to since 2011. He is studying “ways of W fishing has improved a little. “The government decline of Easter Island’s fish stocks, a view raise awareness of the issues surrounding the achieving sustainable management, has agreed to send planes to monitor our fishing corroborated by UN Food and Agriculture reserve and allow the development of tourism maintenance and renewal of Salas y Gómez Island zones eight times a year. It’s encouraging,” Far from the huge moai statues, Easter determination, the last word will go to the Organisation (FAO) studies which indicate based on these activities.” resources through local community (Motu Motiro Hiva) said Roe. Simon, 43, who fishes around the Island’s marine protected area project has just island’s original inhabitants – the Rapa Nui that 90% of the world’s fishing resources are Matt Rand is director of Pew’s Global involvement” and believes it is Rapa Nui island every day, said: “For several years, boats reached a major milestone: the second Our people, some 3,000 in number, who make up overexploited or fully exploited (2). Ocean Legacy project and “works with local “important to involve the islanders in 200 miles used come back without catching anything, Ocean conference, held 3,680km away in a large part of the population. Compared to these industrial fishing giants, communities, governments and scientists [the park’s] management and take into (Easter Island) which never happened before. Now, when I go Valparaíso on 5-6 October, has made it official. It was in fact the Rapa Nui who first proposed Easter Island’s traditional “stone” fishing around the world to protect and conserve some consideration the fact that [the sea] is 200 miles out, I may come back with four or five tuna.” Chile, as host nation, welcomed 400 politicians the park. The instigators were members of technique seems trifling. It is so called because of the Earth’s most important and unspoiled part of their culture.” But years of illegal over-fishing have left and scientists from 90 countries around the the Mesa del Mar (Ocean Round Table), an the starts by looking for stones to marine environments.” He explained that the This could be a problem, since their mark. Petero Avaka, 67, head of a small world, presenting itself as a champion of informal body that, according to its president weight his lines (80 metres long); he must then global objective is to create 15 [marine] parks by a small but significant number of fishermen’s association based in the port of marine conservation. Maria Atan, brings together representatives catch some flying fish to use as bait. 2020, increasing the number of protected areas. fishermen are opposed to the project. Hanga Roa, looked at the huge pile of rubbish The “marine park” is a showcase for the of “fishermen’s associations, tourist industry It is hard to enforce fishing bans. It’s not just “We currently have six major reserves, with They include a group known as the Proposed marine park at the bottom of his garden (plastic waste, Chilean government’s policies: measuring organisations and environmental associations”. a matter of distance – Chilean navy vessels 2% of the world’s oceans under protection.” Tapu, who have left the negotiating Proposed marine reserve crates, floats) and said bitterly: “It’s 720,000 sq km, it will be one of the world’s The project calls for a first protected zone take at least six days to reach Easter Island – (The target set in 2010 by COP 10, the 10th table, and Petero Hito, president of all from illegal fishing boats. And I picked it all biggest. But under the UN Convention extending 80km from the island’s coast, where but of resources. The small monitoring vessel conference of the parties to the Convention on another association, who is concerned Existing Motu Motiro Hiva marine park 0 100 200 300 400 500 km up in just four hours!” Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples only subsistence fishing will be permitted (1). I saw moored in one of the island’s ports is Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan, was to that the area his members are allowed to in Independent Countries (no 169), which This reserve would be surrounded by a marine not enough to ensure strict observance. The create a network of protected areas covering fish will be gradually reduced. But the Sébastien Deslandes is a journalist requires its signatories to promote self- park, extending 320km from the coast and Chilean government seems to be aware of the 10% of the world’s oceans.) Rand emphasised key factor is the ongoing management CÉCILE MARIN

climate disruption, and ocean deoxygenation forever, however vast the ocean. The Pew to ocean conservation, though that is not like “sources” and “sinks” – locations that and acidification (see Global warming, Charitable Trusts’ Virtual Watch Room, their primary aim. Grouped under the favour marine life – and “marine corridors” Towards a ‘blue economy’ actors and victims, page I). If we reassess provided in conjunction with a UK company, term Indigenous Peoples’ and Community – vast strips of ocean running north-south the level of protection required in light of The Satellite Applications Catapult, gives Conserved Territories and Areas, these alongside continents, whose protection the new problems on top of the familiar ones countries with MPAs the evidence they need benefit ecosystems as well as fish stocks. As needs to be more closely coordinated By protecting our marine resources we can help local economies, especially through ecotourism of and pollution – as was done to arrest illegal fishermen. the mechanisms of marine spatial planning with the establishment of MPAs, as ocean at the World Parks Congress in Sydney last New developments such as Google’s show, conservation activities must be warming drives species and ecosystems year – the target will have to be raised to at SkyBox satellite system will by 2018 integrated and coordinated, and conflicting towards higher latitudes. least 30% of the ocean (6). provide a new source of high-resolution uses of the reconciled, if we are to In some ways, there has never been a more BY DAN LAFFOLEY We also need to ensure effective visual coverage around the world, including achieve a sustainable process. exciting time for marine conservation as the management of existing marine protected the ocean. The agreement between The We also need greater exchange between changes and collaborations we bring about arine protected areas are one most serious problem is that the measures areas. MPA designation is just the start of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the startup experts on climate change and MPAs, both now will be fundamental to the wellbeing of our best tools to secure balance. MPAs where extractive activities support nearly 70,000 jobs. A 2015 study taken to date – MPAs or other mechanisms process. The real challenge is in delivering OneWeb, signed in June, covers the use of at the level of international negotiations of future generations. There is still time to the health and resilience of are suspended give the ocean a breathing shows that the cost of extending MPA – are not enough to compensate for human management that ensures the targets are met, a complementary cuboid satellite system to and in the field. Climatologists have adopt new thinking and take the necessary the ocean – over 70% of our space, sometimes with excellent results coverage to 10-30% of the world ocean impact on the ocean. We may save a few particularly by establishing shared standards, connect the 50% of the world population not recently discovered that MPAs help mitigate measures. But we need to act now. Mplanet. A marine protected area (MPA) is in the amount and diversity of marine life. would be clearly justified by the end results. species of fish from over-exploitation but cooperation between countries and a system yet connected to the web, by the same date. carbon emissions by limiting the release ORIGINAL TEXT IN ENGLISH an area where measures to protect, manage They also provide valuable information The estimated net benefits of increasing isolated actions won’t restore the diversity for evaluating progress. This is the purpose There are no more excuses: the time has of carbon held in coastal ecosystems such and sometimes restore ocean health are on what does and doesn’t work in terms of protection to 30% by 2050 range from a of ecosystems. A recent report by the World of the Green List of Protected Areas, adopted come to put MPAs in place as agreed under as mangroves and tidal marshes. But more (1) The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume. applied. The aim is to preserve the quality marine protection. conservative $490bn (150,000 jobs) to an Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) shows a by the International Union for Conservation the CBD. In a few years’ time, governments needs to be done to ensure that ocean (2) Science of Marine Reserves team, “What can and diversity of ecosystems, habitats and Many scientific studies have shown the optimistic $920bn (over 180,000 jobs) (3). worrying decline in marine life: monitored of Nature (IUCN) at the Sydney congress and extractive industries will be held far more management and the measures put in place science tell us about marine reserves?”, Partnership for species, the essential services they provide, effectiveness of marine protected areas. It is clear that MPAs are a pathway to a populations of marine animals (5,829 (7). These structures will form the basis for accountable than they have been up to now. factor in high resources such as krill Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans; or simply the beauty of the marine world. In 2011 a US research team collated the sustainable “blue economy”. populations of 1,234 species) have halved a global community to help the concerned Signatory countries to the CBD have (planktonic crustaceans) and fish. It is www.piscoweb.org MPAs became widespread after 1992 when results of more than 150 studies published We learn at school how to assess since 1970 (5). Fish stocks are falling rapidly countries and environmental agencies. agreed a target of protecting 10% of the world astonishing that, in 2015, the discourse (3) Luke Brander, Corinne Baulcomb et al, “The benefits the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in specialist journals from 61 countries, consequences through experiments. So it’s and “if current rates of global temperature Establishing standards raises the issue of ocean by 2020 through MPAs. But further of carbon management extends to coastal to people of expanding marine protected areas”, Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam, (CBD) was signed in Rio de Janeiro (see showing a 446% increase in biomass (1) surprising to see nations that have yet to rise continue, the ocean will become too applying them. New technologies will soon measures will be needed to meet this target, ecosystems and the role of MPAs, yet makes May 2015; and WWF, “Reviving the Ocean Economy: Five thousand protected areas, page I). on average in protected areas (2). Both the establish proper MPAs claim “sustainable warm for coral reefs by 2050.” invalidate excuses – an MPA is too large, including monitoring ocean areas outside so little mention of the high seas. the case for action – 2015”, April 2015. The reason so many countries place their number of species and the size of individuals development” or “sustainable use” with How much progress has been made too remote, has insufficient staff. It will no national jurisdictions – the high seas – and As we assess the challenges ahead, we (4) WWF, “Marine protected areas: smart investments in trust in MPAs – as of 2015 there are more within species increased. MPAs also have no benchmarks to measure them by. This towards the 2020 target of the Convention longer be possible to hide behind a shortage restricting deep-sea mining. Such measures need to factor newly acquired knowledge of ocean health”, May 2015. than 5,000 around the world – is that, when considerable benefits for local economies. lack of monitoring and analysis is the more on Biological Diversity? So far just 3.4% of of patrol boats or complain that fishermen will increase the ocean’s resistance to future marine climate change into the design of the (5) WWF and Zoological Society of London, “Living properly managed, they help ecosystem On the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, regrettable since the ocean, in terms of the ocean is officially protected, and even (who often receive indirect pubic subsidies) pressures, whether from the consequences MPA network. Unless we take account of the Blue Planet Report: species, habitats and human well- being”, September 2015. where zoning helps manage different uses, its quantifiable resources, amounts to the then the level of protection is not adequate. are concealing their location data. The of population growth, climate change or trends of ocean warming and acidification at (6) International Union for Conservation of Nature Dan Laffoley is Marine Vice Chair of the industries dependent on the reef such as seventh largest economy in the world (4). The target was set decades ago before people availability of remote monitoring technology acidification. regional level, there’s a danger that we won’t World Parks Congress, Sydney, Australia, International Union for Conservation of Nature’s tourism and fishing contribute over $3.5bn It is clear from even this brief account were concerned about major changes to with which to ensure laws are enforced Closely associated with MPAs are a configure the MPAs and wider measures 12-19 November 2014. World Commission on Protected Areas annually to the Australian economy and that the situation is worsening. The first and the ocean; these are now happening, with means that illicit activities cannot be hidden range of local measures that contribute correctly. We will increasingly hear words (7) www.iucn.org IV DECEMBER 2015 LM DLe Monde diplomatique SUPPLEMENT: OCEANS 2015 INITIATIVE Time for international rules Climate talks too often neglect the world’s oceans. One of the key aims of the Paris climate conference (COP 21) is to define precise rules to protect oceans and manage them sustainably

BY TERESA RIBERA, JULIEN ROCHETTE AND ALEXANDRE MAGNAN ADAGP, PARIS 2015 umanity has great responsibility to promote a decarbonated marine economy, towards the planet. We must develop and finance projects relating to adaptation to greater awareness of the changes climate change, and other initiatives aimed at taking place, and what action is needed more accurate prediction of the effects of climate Hto limit the causes and effects of the disruption change and building a future without greenhouse of the balance of the world’s oceans, caused by gas emissions. There are many possibilities, and over-fishing, pollution from land-based activities we must encourage outstanding initiatives that (agriculture, industry), destruction of ecosystems bring together stakeholders from across the whole (clearing of mangroves, mining of coral reefs, oil of society, not just national governments. Such spills) and global warming. a club could also help implement sustainable More and more people are stressing the development in other areas. importance of the oceans to our survival, from Other forums besides the UNFCC will play coastal areas to the high seas. This is not just a part in deciding the future of climate and because the oceans are a source of food, which oceans. Since preserving global climate depends both developing and developed countries need on the health of our oceans, the international to protect at all costs, but because they regulate community must go on acting within different global climate mechanisms, too. This has serious organisations – including those that manage the consequences for the marine environment, from marine environment (regional fisheries and ocean ecosystems to human activities (see Global management organisations, the International warming, actors and victims, page I). These Maritime Organisation and the International consequences affect all countries, regardless of Seabed Authority) – so as to establish and their level of development: processes like climate implement rules for the conservation and change do not recognise national borders or RENÉ DUVILLIER – 'Returns from sea' (1977) sustainable use of marine resources, protecting economic inequalities. the ability of the oceans to capture CO2. So the If the aim is to minimise disruption to the oceans, creation of marine protected areas, sustainable the first priority should be to reduce greenhouse gas management of fisheries and the fight against emissions. We can only do this through coordinated will undergo if global warming exceeds the 2°C that would bring together stakeholders keen to pollution also help to minimise the scale and international action: that is the whole purpose of the threshold (1). It also needed to convince them of the promote the benefits of a common programme, impact of climate change. Paris climate conference (COP 21). In the run-up to viability of ocean-based solutions. Solutions based expand certain initiatives, encourage the This calls for closer links between organisations the conference, the task of the “ocean community” on nature – preserving the ecosystems of coral reefs development of coastal policies that respond responsible for climate, environmental and – scientists, decision-makers, representatives of or mangroves – can help reduce the consequences flexibly to climate change, or work together to economic issues: these interrelated challenges are the private sector and civil society – was to draw of climate change and enhance the resilience and improve regional management of the oceans. The too often addressed in isolation. COP 21 and the the negotiators’ attention to the major changes – adaptability of coast-dwelling societies. The ocean UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UN’s recent adoption of a new set of Sustainable some irreversible – that the marine environment community has extensive experience in “multi- (UNFCCC) would become a forum where Development Goals are opportunities we must scale” management. It has the expertise to steer everyone could put forward proposals. not miss. Teresa Ribera is director of the Institute for climate negotiations away from the exclusively This ocean and climate club could be made up TRANSLATED BY CHARLES GOULDEN Sustainable Development and International Relations top-down approach taken up to now, by setting out of a coalition of states, local authorities, enterprises (1) See Alexandre Magnan, Raphaël Billé, Sara R Cooley, (Iddri) in Paris; Julien Rochette is coordinator of Iddri’s the different scales of required action and decision- and representatives of civil society. Members Oceans and Coastal Zones Programme; Alexandre Ryan Kelly, Hans-Otto Pörtner, Carol Turley and Jean-Pierre making – international, regional, national and local. of the club could make a public commitment to Gattuso, “Intertwined ocean and climate: implications for the Magnan is research fellow in Vulnerability and COP 21 should be the starting point for a extend their network of marine protected areas international negotiations”, Iddri Policy Briefs, no 4, Paris, Adaptation to Climate Change at Iddri new movement, an “ocean and climate club” (see Towards a ‘blue economy’, pages II-III), 2015; www.iddri.org

Global warming, actors and victims of people. There will also be a very high impact on services provided by coastal ecosystems Continued from page I – coastal protection (coral reefs, mangroves, Ocean solutions seagrass beds), aquaculture or tourism. if carbon emissions continue at their present The damage caused by ocean acidification n June 2015 the UN General Assembly Studies have shown the value of large rate, ocean warming will have a disastrous and rising sea levels to marine organisms and Iapproved a resolution to negotiate a new no-take marine protected areas as carbon impact on all these organisms, leading to mass ecosystems, and the resources they contain, legally binding instrument to implement sinks (helping to prevent global warming) displacement and a decline in marine biodiversity is already detectable and could become the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. but also as breeding grounds for whales in the tropics. These results – derived from severe, even under the optimistic scenario. It We may hope this will pave the way for the and dolphins. The preservation of marine experiments, field observations and modelling – comes on top of other human impacts such as creation of areas where marine biodiversity mammals is vital for the fishing and are consistent with evidence from other periods overexploitation of living resources, habitat is rigorously protected by law, as well as whale-watching sectors, and for global in the geological record when atmospheric CO2 destruction and pollution. Given the scale of more equitable access to the high seas and biodiversity. was high, owing in particular to volcanic activity. the expected changes, it is time we realised fairer sharing of their benefits, within a It’s clear we need to think differently. The The impact of these changes on marine that no country is safe: this is a worldwide framework of shared governance. ecological, scientific and legal arguments ecosystems also varies according to the problem and we cannot afford to let the North/ This is just the start of what promises for ocean conservation are numerous and scenario. If greenhouse gas emissions continue South divide prevent us from taking action. to be a lengthy process, but it represents irrefutable, but they are not enough. To be at their present rate, fishing will be severely JEAN-PIERRE GATTUSO a major shift in the international effective, they must be combined with new affected, especially in tropical waters where it is AND ALEXANDRE MAGNAN community’s attitude to the protection of ideas, technologies and sources of finance a key source of protein and income for millions ORIGINAL TEXT IN ENGLISH the oceans. It also signals the start of an suited to the task. era of real hope for a swift and effective The creation of an “ for (1) Thomas Stocker et al, “Observations: ocean” in “Climate end to the exploitation and degradation sustainability and development”, funded Impact of carbon emissions on the ocean in 2100 Change 2013: the Physical of the ocean that has characterised the through a one-time equity investment by Significant No Science Basis”, Working Group I last hundred years. It is encouraging that governments and private partners, could contribution to the fifth assessment private organisations are driving a vision offer viable financing options for initiatives reduction in reduction report of the Intergovernmental emissions in emissions Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), for bigger ideas, new thinking and broader to promote the survival and regeneration (optimistic (pessimistic scenario scenario Cambridge University Press, 2013. partnerships. of the oceans. “RCP 2.6”) “RCP 8.5”) (2) Jean-Pierre Gattuso et al, Private philanthropic initiatives can We also need to broaden our partnerships. “Contrasting futures for ocean and Y Surface temperature1 + 1.2 °C + 3.2 °C society from different anthropogenic provide decisive support in the design and The Paris climate conference (COP 21) 1 CO2 emissions scenarios”, implementation of marine protected areas. this month offers an opportunity to form

SICS & Surface acidity (pH) - 0.14 - 0.40 Sea level2 Science, vol 349, no 6423, They offer a management framework that, alliances between professionals from PHY + 60cm + 86cm CHEMISTR Washington DC, July 2015. Mangroves (3) The Oceans 2015 Initiative is by engaging local communities as well as different sectors united by their awareness Krill led by France’s Centre National scientists in the process should make it of the importance of protecting marine Flowering plants Risk of de la Recherche Scientifique easier to overcome challenges and stay on biodiversity. It’s high time we recognised impact (CNRS), Pierre and Marie Curie Pteropods University-Paris VI, and Institut course in the longer term. that the oceans are not just a source of food Undetectable MARINE Fish du Développement Durable et Large, remote high seas ecosystems such and minerals for exploitation, but are also ORGANISMS Warm-water corals Moderate des Relations Internationales as the Sargasso Sea are now recognised vital for the future of our planet and the Bivalves (Iddri), and is supported by as key areas for protection, but by virtue survival of humanity. High the Prince Albert II of Monaco Bivalve fisheries and aquaculture Very high Foundation, the Ocean Acidification of their size will require new forms of TORSTEN THIELE Carbon absorption International Coordination monitoring such as satellites, drones and ORIGINAL TEXT IN ENGLISH Finfish fisheries (high & middle latitudes) Centre of the International unmanned marine vehicles. These will VIDE D VICES (low latitudes) 1. Relative to the Atomic Energy Agency, the O Finfish fisheries pre-industrial deliver scientific research benefits as well as Torsten Thiele is an economist and founder of SER PR Tourism (coral reefs) BNP Paribas Foundation and the era (1870-99) operational efficiencies. Global Ocean Trust Coastal protection 2. Relative to 1901 Monégasque Association for Ocean Acidification; bit.ly/1M6YiS6