The Solomon Islands is a global center for marine diversity. And the ecosystem services of their ocean that deliver benefits to the people is worth more than SBD$2.51 billion per/year. But these valuable services are under threat from multiple and conflicting uses, overuse, destructive uses and pollution. Whilst the Government of the Solomon Islands is doing much to address these threats sectorally, it recognizes a need to work across Ministries, public: private, national government: local communities boundaries.
Last year the Cabinet of the Solomon Islands Government approved a way forward towards integrated ocean governance. They articulated a vision A healthy, secure, clean and productive ocean which benefits the people of the Solomon Islands and beyond. This vision encompasses the following subordinate objectives;
- Sustainable development and use
- Food security
- Climate change resilience and adaptation
- Environmental protection and rehabilitation
- Protection from natural disasters and
- Conservation of biodiversity.
To move this forward, the Solomon Islands Cabinet established a high level Ocean12 committee to oversee the implementation of the integrated governance framework. The executive of the Ocean12 are from Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Two priority implementation tools that the Solomon Island Government commits to are an Integrated National Oceans Policy and a Nation-wide Marine Spatial Plan.
So far the Government has conducted a valuation on the marine ecosystem, legal review on existing legislations, policies and strategies on ocean and marine use, describing and prioritizing key aspects for integrated ocean governance. Follow up actions will include, securing additional resources, describe the entire Solomon Islands marine environment, identify areas of management and commits to having a draft integrated National Ocean Policy and Marine spatial plan by 2018.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
Type of commitment
SHIPPING
- Management of ship-based pollution and/or port waste management
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Type of commitment
- Multiple use marine protected area
- Locally or community managed marine areas
- MPA management and/or enforcement
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Type of commitment
- Economic benefits from sustainable fisheries
- Economic benefits from sustainable tourism
- Economic benefits from sustainable transport
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
- Activities to raise awareness of the comprehensive legal and policy framework for the sustainable development of oceans and seas, in particular UNCLOS, its Implementing Agreements and other relevant ocean-related instruments and promote their effective im
- Strengthening ocean governance, for example through the development of a national ocean policy or regional ocean policy
2018
