As a nation of many low-lying and scattered atolls, it is crucial to combat climate change and other environment-related issues, whether natural or human-induced, and to mitigate their effects as they pose an imminent threat to the Marshallese society and culture. Understanding of the value and efficacy of supporting and strengthening cross-scale linkages between local, national, and international levels when it comes to addressing environmental issues, the RMI held its first National Oceans Symposium (NOS) on March 2017 bringing together all levels of government and civil society to raise priorities and key areas of concern particularly on climate change, sustainable fisheries, marine and coastal pollution, and coral reefs & marine protected areas. As the lead agency, the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority was supported in this initiative by partner agencies in the Coastal Management Advisory Council, which provides a platform for collaboration, integration, and technical advice across multiple sectors to support national conservation work (i.e. Reimaanlok) and other national priorities. The RMI NOS was a bottom-up approach, which proved to be an effective strategy to allow active engagement from local actors, who are essentially the resource owners and users, through awareness raising, stock-taking of resources and challenges, and prioritization of issues and appropriate actions for implementation at both local and national levels to support international obligations including SDG 14s specific targets and addressing its intended statistical indicators. The guiding principles outlined in the NOS Implementation Plan will help bridge gaps by building upon existing long-term interagency relationships in addition to introduction of new partnerships within and outside the RMI.
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
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
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
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
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
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
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
2018
