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Ocean Action Newsletter: Vol. 8

December 2018: Science catalyses new efforts for the ocean-climate nexus.

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Communities of Ocean Action
To follow-up on the implementation of the voluntary commitments registered and announced at The Ocean Conference for implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14); to catalyze and generate new voluntary commitments; and to facilitate collaboration and networking amongst different actors in support of SDG 14, the United Nations have launched nine thematic multi-stakeholder Communities of Ocean Action. Read more
Registry of Voluntary Commitments for Sustainable Development Goal 14
More than 1,400 Voluntary Commitments aimimg to contribute to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 have been registered by all stakeholders, in the lead up to The Ocean Conference and its follow up processes. Read more
Special Envoy for the Ocean
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Peter Thomson of Fiji as his Special Envoy for the Ocean, aiming at galvanizing concerted efforts to follow up on the outcomes of the United Nations Ocean Conference in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Read more
Communities of Ocean Action
Coral reefs
Implementation of international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Mangroves
Marine and coastal ecosystems management
Marine pollution
Ocean acidification
Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology
Sustainable blue economy
Sustainable fisheries
Special Envoy
Peter Thomson Learn about the latest activities of Peter Thomson, Special Envoy for the Ocean
How are you progressing with your Voluntary Commitment?

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Ocean Action Newsletter
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Activity feed on Ocean Action
Progress updates of Voluntary Commitments
Progress update
Establish the Local Environmental Observer (LEO) Network in all oceans and along all of the world's coastlines within 5 years, #OceanAction21889
The LEO Network platform can be considered fully developed, and can be explored at https://www.leonetwork.org/. At the time of this progress report, there are 2,770 registered LEO Network members affiliated with over 1000 organizations in 671 communities around the world (see the figure provided of LEO Network communities). The commitment of implem [more]
Progress update
Mainstreaming ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries in Mexico through effective participation and citizen science., #OceanAction15083
Seven small-scale fisheries are already under a Fishing Improvement Project (FIP) scheme and making progress based on the Marine Stewardship Standard (MSC). These fisheries are clams, penshell, yellowtail, ocean tilefish, giant squid, Caribbean lobster, and red snapper. Additionally, COBI continues supporting the small-pelagic fishing industry [more]
Progress update
Mainstreaming ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries in Mexico through effective participation and citizen science., #OceanAction15083
Seven-no take marine reserves have been decreed as fish refugia since we made our voluntary commitment. These reserves have been created in the Pacific Ocean (two reserves, 2.0 km2), Gulf of California (four reserves, 2.2 km2) and Caribbean (one reserve, 0.08 km2). Each reserve was promoted by fishers through a bottom-up process. Additionally, 10 r [more]
Progress update
Mainstreaming ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries in Mexico through effective participation and citizen science., #OceanAction15083
Seven-no take marine reserves have been decreed as fish refugia since we made our voluntary commitment. These reserves have been created in the Pacific Ocean (two reserves, 2.0 km2), Gulf of California (four reserves, 2.2 km2) and Caribbean (one reserve, 0.08 km2). Each reserve was promoted by fishers through a bottom-up process. Additionally, 10 r [more]
Progress update
Mainstreaming ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries in Mexico through effective participation and citizen science., #OceanAction15083
3.The implementation of our capacity-building leadership program for 16 partner fishing cooperatives which we work with, and their strengthening for human development, common wellbeing, communication, conflict resolution, and negotiation. This includes the development and consolidation of the project Gender Equality at Sea, in order to achieve gend [more]
Progress update
Mainstreaming ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries in Mexico through effective participation and citizen science., #OceanAction15083
The National prize for Fishing and Aquaculture was added the Fisheries Law last April (see : https://www.gob.mx/inapesca/articulos/primera-edicion-del-premio-pesca-y-acuacultura-sustentables). The call for nominations was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation last October 2018 (https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5541661& [more]
Progress update
Sustainable Ocean Ambassador (SOA), #OceanAction27732
SOA has initiated and strengthen up the Sustainable Ocean Commitment with multinational MBA students and Academia through Assumption University to bring sustainability to the ocean knowledge platform.
Progress update
Reduction of Coral Reef Decline/Sharing stratigices, information and action plans, #OceanAction20824
The St. Maarten Coral Summit was destroyed during the hurricane in St. Maarten . All work, meetings , and contractual arrangements have been redirected to humanitarian delivery of over 100 boxes of relief material delivered by our operational director at the time, by private boat owners and distributed to victims on the island.March for the Ocean p [more]
Progress update
Reduction of Coral Reef Decline/Sharing stratigices, information and action plans, #OceanAction20824
The St. Maarten Coral Summit was destroyed during the hurricane in St. Maarten . All work, meetings , and contractual arrangements have been redirected to humanitarian delivery of over 100 boxes of relief material delivered by our operational director at the time, by private boat owners and distributed to victims on the island.March for the Ocean p [more]
New Voluntary Commitments
New Commitment
Goal 14 implemetation for the protection of Mediterranean sea's whales and dolphins, #OceanAction28447
Through its activities, Battibaleno association promotes the knowledge of marine mammals to encourage their protection and contributes to the effective creation of protected areas in the Mediterranean sea, as well as providing the scientific community with research data. MONITORING AND CETACEANS' RESEARCH'S SEA EXPEDITIONS: Battibaleno conducts [more]
New Commitment
Clean Coastline (Ren Kustlinje), #OceanAction28429
Ren Kustlinje Clean Coastline is an innovative EU project (founded through the Interreg resund-Kattegatt-Skagerrak program, Innovation Area) and is ongoing in the period 1/1 2016 - 31/12 2018. The main objective of the project is on marine waste as a common challenge for the countries around the KASK region. 34 partners from Sweden, Norway and [more]
New Commitment
Taking actions towards our ocean through environmental education in Guatemala, #OceanAction28407
To implement education, scientific and community development programs that promote the conservation and correct use of the ocean and its marine life. In this sense, as an organization, we are willing to increase scientific knowledge in the population of Guatemala, this, by doing scientific research and connecting people with the oceans through [more]
New Commitment
CASA DEI PESCI, #OceanAction28342
Fish Home (Casa dei pesci) Project for the preservation and enrichment of the Maremma Sea The Fish Home project is the realization of a dream, the dream of Paolo Fanciulli, fisherman of the Maremma region, whose passion for the sea has inspired many battles for the preservation of the marine environment, attracting the empathy of hundreds of peopl [more]
New Commitment
Bottlenose dolphins in the Sicilian Channel. Increasing knowledge through research activities and People awareness on the marine environment conservation , #OceanAction28338
Goal: Associazione Me.Ri.S. aims to increase dolphins protection in the Sicilian Channel through two coordinated activities. The first, is to increase scientific knowledge about bottlenose dolphins inhabiting waters off Agrigento Province. The second, aims to raise awareness of people about the importance to protect cetaceans and their environment [more]
New Commitment
Bikash Ranjan Rautray, #OceanAction28312
Mangroves are a unique partnership-led initiative to promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. MFF provides a platform for collaboration among the many different agencies, sectors and countries which are addressing challenges to coastal ecosystem and livelihood issues. The goal is to promote an integrated oce [more]
New Commitment
Small-Scale Fisheries Academy in Senegal, #OceanAction28293
With active support of different professional associations organising people along all aspects of the value chain in the sector, academic partners and encouraged by other civil society organisations, upon proposal of Mundus maris asbl, the organising committee invited a wide array of sector stakeholders to the inaugural session of the small-scale f [more]
New Commitment
Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators' Clean Seas Project, #OceanAction28230
The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) is an international association for expedition cruise operators in the Arctic and others who support our vision of responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the Arctic. AECO has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Environment Programme and is contr [more]
New Commitment
Illuminating Hidden Harvests: The contribution of small-scale fisheries to sustainable development, #OceanAction28237
Small-scale fisheries are a vital source of livelihoods for millions, particularly in developing countries, and provide food and nutrition for billions. Despite this, SSF continue to be underreported and undervalued, causing them to receive little policy attention and investment at the national, regional and international levels. In response, FAO, [more]
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