Table Of Content3 FederalMinistry
ofEducation
UNEP WCMC defra andResearch
TheMinistrytorthe
EnvironmentolIceland
Global Marine Assessments
A survey of global and regional marine
environmental assessments and related
scientific activities
Ajoint publication of UNEP and UNESCO-IOC executed by UNEP-WCMC and supported
bythe Department for Environment, Food and RuralAffairs ofthe United Kingdom, Ministry
forthe Environment of Iceland, and Federal Ministryof Education and Research ofGermany
UNEP
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge
http://www.archive.org/details/globalmarineasse03corc
FederalMinistry
ofEducation
defra andResearch
UNEP WCMC TheMinistryforthe
EnvironmentofIceland
Global Marine Assessments
A survey of global and regional marine
environmental assessments and related
scientific activities
Ajoint publication of UNEP and UNESCO-IOC executed by UNEP-WCMC and supported
bythe Department for Environment, Food and RuralAffairs of the United Kingdom, Ministry
for the Environment of Iceland, and Federal Ministryof Education and Research of Germany
/a% United NationsEnvironmentProgramme UNEPWorldConservationMonitoring
^f^
[UNEP] Centre
UNEP ExecutiveDirector:KlausToepfer UNEP WCMC Director: MarkCollins
The mission ofthe United Nations Environment Programme is The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre is the
toprovideleadershipandencouragepartnershipincaringfor biodiversity assessment and policy implementation arm
theenvironmentbyinspiring,informing,andenablingnations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
and people to improve their quality of life without the world's foremost intergovernmental environmental
compromisingthatoffuturegenerations. organization UNEP-WCMC aims to help decision makers
recognizethevalueofbiodiversityto people everywhere, and
TheIntergovernmentalOceanographic to apply this knowledge to all that they do The Centre's
CommissionofUNESCO(UNESCO-IOC) challenge is to transform complex data into policy-relevant
ExecutiveSecretary:PatricioBernal information, to build tools and systems for analysis and
integration, and to support the needs of nations and the
The purpose of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic internationalcommunityastheyengageinjointprogrammes
Commission of UNESCO is to promote international ofaction
cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, UNEP-WCMC providesobjective, scientificallyrigorous
servicesandcapacity-building, inorderto learn moreabout productsand servicesthat include ecosystem assessments,
the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas, support for implementation of environmental agreements,
and to apply that knowledge for the improvement of regional and global biodiversity information, research on
management, sustainable development, the protection of environmental threats and impacts, and development of
the marine environment, and the decision-making pro- futurescenariosforthelivingworld
cessesofits MemberStates.
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
will collaborate with international organizations concerned
withtheworkoftheCommission,and especiallywith those
organizationsof the United Nations system that are willing
and prepared to contribute to the purpose and functionsof
the Commission and/or to seek advice and cooperation in
the field of ocean and coastal area scientific research,
related servicesand capacity-building.
© UNEP-WCMC/UNEP/UNESCO-IOC2003 Availableonlineat
httpV/wwwunep-wcmcorg/resources/publications/ss1/GMA_Reviewpdf
Citation:UNEP120031GlobalMarineAssessments:asurveyofglobal
andregionalmarineenvironmentalassessmentsandrelatedscientific
activities.UNEP-WCMC/UNEP/UNESCO-IOC. 132pp.
Author:EmilyCorcoran
ProjectManager:EdGreen
UNEPWorldConservation MonitoringCentre
Acknowledgements
Thisstudywasjointlyfunded byUNEP, UNESCO-IOC: the Federal ABansonproduction
Ministryof Education and Research, Germany, the Ministryforthe PrintedintheUKbySwaingroveImaging
Environment, Iceland; and the Department for Environment, Food
andRuralAffairs. UK.
Theauthorwouldliketoextendthankstoallindividualsand Picturecredits:p9ChristopheRougen/UNEP^Topham,plOPD
organizations that completed and returned questionnaires and/or Sugma/UNEP/Topham;p!2leftShoukyu/UNEP/Topham,p12rightHans
providedothernarrativeinformation Withouttheircooperationand Otto/UNEP/Topham.p13JCanete/UNEP/Topham,pi7lefttopPaul
valuablecontributionsthisstudywouldnothavebeenpossible. Wnght/UNEP/Topham,p17leftbottomUrmitaMehandru/UNEP/
Technical and editorial support was received from Topham.pi7rightBrunoRosso/UNEP/Topham,p18Kathryn
representativesofthe sponsoring agencies, in particularJanStefan Kolb/UNEP/Topham.pl9UNEP/Topham,p20leftMichael
Fritz (Germany); Halldor Thorgeirsson llcelandl; Chris Tompkins Peck/UNEP/Topham;p20rightSalBLacayo/UNEP/Topham;p22Denjiro
IUKI; Ellik Adler. Ivor Baste, Salif Diop, Matthew Fortnam, Beth Sato/UNEP/Topham,EPGreen
Ingraham and PinyaSarasas IUNEP); and Umit Unluata IUNESCO-
IOC). In addition, the authorwould like to recognize the invaluable
assistanceandconstructiveinputreceivedfromcolleaguesatUNEP- Thecontentsofthisreportdonotnecessarilyreflecttheviewsorpolicies
WCMC, in particularMarkCollins, Edmund Green. Stefan Ham, Ian ofUNEPorcontributoryorganizations Thedesignationsemployedandthe
MayandEdmundMcManus. presentationsdonot implytheexpressionsofanyopinionwhatsoeveron
The friendly collaboration with experts from UNESCO-IOC. thepartofUNEPorcontributoryorganizationsconcerningthelegalstatus
especially in the context of developing methods to analyse the ofanycountry, territory, cityorarea or itsauthority, orconcerning the
informationcompiledinthisstudy, isgratefullyacknowledged. delimitationofitsfrontiersorboundaries
wo
Fo
re rd
by Klaus Toepfer
Executive Director
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The importance of coastal and oceanic ecosystems of which are crucial to the establishment and long-term
totheglobalenvironmentcannotbeoverstated, nor success of such complex processes. This is clearly
can the environmental threats facing them. More highlighted in thefindingsofthesurvey.Thecollaborative
than one-third of the world's population lives within 100 support of existing assessment programmes and
kilometresofthecoast. Development inthecoastalzones frameworks is also recognized as essential for the
is destroying wetlands, estuaries, mangroves and coral process. Through our ongoing assessment activities and
reefs,whicharecriticaltooceanproductivity. Bothmarine in cooperation with the Regional Seas Programmes and
and land-based sources of pollution threaten the long- other regional seas agreements, UNEP is well placed to
term sustainability of coastal and marine resources on contribute and participate actively in the Global Marine
which many communities depend. Overfishing is also Assessment process based on our competence and
taking its toll on marine ecosystems. For these reasons experience in the field ofenvironmentalassessments.As
thereisa needtokeepthestateofthecoastaland marine complex, multi-scaled, multi-dimensional and multi-
environment under review in order to ensure that sectoral as the process is, UNEP stands ready to work
emerging environmental problems are given adequate in close collaboration with other UN agencies,
consideration bypolicyand decision makers. governments, the scientific community and relevant
The 21st session of the UNEP Governing Council in stakeholders as called for by resolution 57/141 and
February 2001 adopted decision 21/13 to explore the recommended during the UN Informal Consultative
feasibility of establishing a regular process for the Process on Oceans and the Law held in New York, 2-6
assessment of the state of the marine environment. The June 2003.
World Summit on Sustainable Development and the I believe that this publication will add value to the
United Nations General Assembly in 2002 embraced the development of the overall Global Marine Assessment
outcomeoftheconsultative meetings held in response to process by identifying issues of primary concern as well
the decision in Reykjavik, September 2001, and Bremen, as priorities that need attention in response to policy
March 2002. This led to the adoption of resolution 57/U1 needs. Issues include, for example, the ecological
by the General Assembly to establish by 2004 a regular impacts of human activities and their socio-economic
process for the global reporting and assessment of the implications; the participation of developing countries
state ofthe marine environment. The need to protect the and small island states; and the thematic and
coastaland marineenvironmentwasalsoaccordeda high geographical gaps in the global picture. The further
degreeofattentionbythe HeadsofStateand Government development ofthe processwill require a good design to
attheWorld Summiton Sustainable Development. ensure credibility, relevance, legitimacy, transparency,
Initiatedas partof UNEP'sfeasibilitystudy,The survey participation and cost effectiveness. The assessment
of global and regional marine environmental assess- should also be structured to mobilize the scientific
ments and related scientific activities developed into a community, to promote intergovernmentalcollaboration,
combined effort between UNEP, UNEP-WCMC and IOC and to ensure that sustainable capacity building in
of UNESCO, with support from the Governments of developing countries is established asan integral partof
Germany, Iceland and the United Kingdom, as a con- the assessment process. UNEP sees the Global Marine
tribution to the global marine assessment process. It is Assessment process as a toolforstrengthening the link
my great pleasure to issue this publication jointly with between science and policy, and identifying scenarios
Mr Koichiro Matsuura, the Director-GeneralofUNESCO. which couldassistdecision makers inaddressing priority
The publication is a good example of inter-agency coastal and marine issues as documented by this joint
cooperation and the involvement of governments, both publication.
wo
Fo
re rd
by KoTchiro Matsuura
Director-General
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO]
After the Second World War, outer space and the Secretary-General of the UN was called, through
oceans were the first global spatial domains in which Resolution 57/141, to report to thisyear's 58th session of
thenewlyformedUnitedNationswascalled touse its the UN GeneralAssemblyon the modalities to undertake
new standard-setting authority. The broad scope of the such a complextask.
coordination needed in oceanactivitiesextendsacrossthe IOC has actively participated in the preparatory
social, economic and environmental aspects of sus- work for the establishment of the GMA, taking a leading
tainable development and responds to the principle laid role in partnershipwith UNEP. Indeed, the initialdecision
down in the preamble of the United Nations Convention 121/131 taken bythe UNEP Governing Council in February
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): 'that the problems of 2001 called upon IOC toworkjointlywith UNEP to assess
ocean and space are closely interrelated and need to be thefeasibilityofa GMA. UNESCOwelcomed this invitation
considered as awhole'. and theopportunitytoworkcloselywitha keypartner. IOC
Coordinationof oceanaffairs' isamatterofconcern has engaged actively with this preparatory process,
at the highest levels in the UN system. In addition to includingthe Reykjavikand Bremenworkshops,wherewe
UNCLOS,therearetodayover500internationalagreements proposed a general blueprint fora salient, legitimate and
on different aspects of ocean protection and the use of credibleassessment,onethatcombinesglobalscopewith
marine resources. However, the international community strong regional implementation.
faces a major ongoing challenge arising from those In preparationforthe meeting ofthe UNEPGeneral
agreements,namely,howtosecuregreatercomplianceand Council last February in Nairobi, IOC contributed to the
more rigorous enforcement. As a result, Member States presentreviewoftheexistingoceanassessmentsthatcould
have been calling forthe establishmentofa more effective be integrated into the GMA. The objective of this joint
and transparent mechanismofinternationalcoordination. publication of UNEPand IOC of UNESCOwas to providea
In this regard, it is widely acknowledged that the snapshotofthecurrentsituationand toconsidertheways
coordination of ocean issues should best be pursued on in which the GMA process could integrate existing and
the basis of a collegial forum in the United Nations in planned assessments as well as address and fill in the
which all agencies and the UN Secretariat participate. In thematic and geographicalgaps identified in the study.
addition,thereisa needtofindawaytoaccommodatenew The review concludes that existing assessments
partnersfromoutsidetheUNsystem.Suchaforumwould are not sufficiently regular or sustainable to achieve
be particularly important for establishing a regular the expectations of the proposed GMA mechanism. The
process undertheUnited Nationsforglobal reporting and arguments presented support the need for a dedicated
assessmentofthestate ofthe marine environment. mechanism to regularly report on the state oftheworld's
Last year's World Summit on Sustainable oceans, as putforward by |i| UNEP GC Decision 21/13: In]
Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, included paragraph36(b) oftheWSSD PlanofImplementation; and
much discussion of ocean issues and sounded a note of (iii) the UN GeneralAssemblyat its 57th Session.
alarm that, despite the UN's many efforts, the protection amconfidentthatthepresentreviewwillserveas
I
of the oceans is not improving. On the contrary, in many an important step towards establishing a regular process
areas there are worrying signs that our collective efforts under the United Nations for global reporting and
are insufficient. Consequently, para 36(b) of the WSSD assessment of the state of the marine and coastal
Plan of Implementation called for the development of a environment. Iamalsoconfidentthatthereviewwillmake
regularGlobalMarineAssessment (GMA] to ascertain the all the concerned parties aware that the success of this
status of many of the natural processes, ecosystems and process will strongly depend on the ability of the UN
special environments in the ocean. UNESCO and the system to work together as a whole, utilizing a clear
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) are division of labour. A comprehensive approach to 'ocean
convinced ofthe need todevelop the GMA.Weare pleased affairs', to be sustained over many years, must place a
tonotethat,infollow-uptotheJohannesburgSummit,the premium upon effective partnershipand collaboration.
Summary
Executive
As part of the implementation of UNEP Governing 4. The planning, implementation and review of a GMA
Council Decision 21/13 on a Global assessment should involve representatives from existing assess-
of the state of the marine environment', this study ments to avoid duplication and to learn from their
was commissioned to analyse information on marine experiences.
environmental assessments carried out at the regional 5. A GMA mechanism must ensure the involvement
and global levels. and ownership of the process by the end-user, in
The objective of the review is to contribute to the particular national and regional policy makers, so it
establishment of a Global Marine Assessment IGMA), a willbe flexible enough to meettheirchanging needs.
regular report on the state of the marine environment, 6. A GMA should involve the private sector, as well as
supported by the UN. It aims to provide a snapshot ofthe industrial and environmental non-governmental
currentsituation and answerthefollowing questions: organizations, as stakeholders in the assessment
In whatways could a GMA process integrate existing process.Thesepartnerscould provideausefulsource
and planned assessments? of information and also help to raise awareness and
Howcould identified thematic and geographical gaps increase responsibilityforthe marine environment.
beaddressed and filled? 7. A GMA mechanism must recognize the differences
Data were generated through the distribution of in national and regional approaches, capacities,
questionnaires. Analysis of the information obtained resources and constraints for collaboration and take
indicated that existing assessments are not sufficiently them intoaccount in its design.
regular or sustainable to achieve the expectations of the 8. A GMA mechanism should use existing regional
proposed GMA mechanism. Based on the present review, capacitywhere it exists, and facilitate the transfer of
it is recommended that: skills, the development of training and the building
1. To be sustainable, a GMA must have the support of ofcapacityin geographicaland thematic areaswhere
nationalstakeholders and make use, where possible, it is lacking.
of existing regional agreements, frameworks and 9. Inadditiontoitsprimaryroleofregularlyreportingon
organizations. thestatus ofthe marine environment, a GMAhasthe
2. For those marine areas or marine environmental potentialto:
issues which currently are not, or are insufficiently, i. facilitate and encourage the sharing of
covered by assessments, a GMA will be required to information and experiences, and promote
support existing capacities and develop new collaboration between regions and disciplines,
capacities, in particularforthe assessmentof: thereby improving international networks for
i. the high seasand deep/openwaters issues relating to the assessment of the marine
ii. the marine environments of developing nations environment;
and smallisland developing states ii. act in an advisory capacity to existing assess-
iii. the interactions between marine and freshwater ments, spreading methods of best practice
systems. and developing standardized methods for data
3. A GMA should endeavour to use primary data where collection, qualityassuranceand assessment.
they are available. This information should comply 10. AGMAshouldaimtostreamlineexistinginternational
with internationally accepted standards and be activities concerning the assessment of the state of
subject to quality assurance measures to ensure the marine environment and contribute to increased
credibility. collaboration between UN agencies.
Global Marine Assessments
Contents
ForewordbyKlausToepfer, ExecutiveDirector 3. Conclusions 22
ofUNEP 3
ForewordbyKoi'chiroMatsuura, Director-General
ofUNESCO 4 u. Recommendations 23
ExecutiveSummary 5. Referencesandreading 24
1. Introduction 6. Annexes 25
1.1 Preamble Annex 1: Glossaryofworkingdefinitions 26
1.2 Methodology
1.3 Organization ofthe report Annex2: Tableofacronyms 28
2. Summaryofkeyfindings Annex3: UNEPGoverningCouncilDecision21/13 31
2.1 Scope, timing and stautsof reviewed
assessmentsand related activities 9 Annex4: Backgroundtothereviewofmarine
2.1.1 Scope 9 assessments 32
2.1 2 Timing 10 4.1 Scope 32
2.1.3 Status 12 4.2 Background 32
2.2 Ways inwhichthe GMAcould benefitfrom 4.3 Objectives 32
existing and foreseen assessmentsand
related activities 13
2.2.1 Basic requirements ofthe GMA 13 Annex5: Projectdocument 34
222 Identification ofsuitableassessments 16
2.2.3 Howa GMAcould collaboratewith Annex6: Reviewmethodology 37
theseassessmentsoractivities 17 6.1 Phase I: Pre-studypreparations 37
2.3 Ways inwhich thematicand geographical 6 11 Contacts list 37
gaps can befilled 19
6.1.2 Preparation ofthe questionnaire 37
2.4 Commentson the review 21
6.2 Phase II: Contacting administrativeand
2.4.1 Notes ontheeffectivenessofdata scientific bodies 37
collection 21
6.3 Phase III: Compilation, analysisand
2.4.2 Notes on data analysis 21 interpretation of information 37
6.4 Phase IV: Preparation ofconclusionsand
Maps recommendations 38
Map Overlayofthe principalregional
demarcationsused byglobaland Annex7: Questionnaire 40
regionalassessmentsand related
scientific activities 11
Map2 Separated regional layersfrom Map 1 14 Annex8: Contactslist 48
71
Global Marine Assessments
Annex9: Dataanalysis (includingtablesand 9.4 Overviewand interpretation of keynarrative
figures) 74 responses 87
9.1 Summaryand analysis ofquestionnaire 9 4.1 Information sources 87
returns 74
9.4.2 Organizationswith specialist
9.1.1 Return rates 74 knowledge/skills 87
9 12 Background information on reviewed 943 Otherexisting mechanisms 87
assessments Ik
944 Keyfindingsfrom section 9.4
9 13 Keyfindingsfrom section 9 1 (narrative responses) 88
(summaryand analysis ofquestionnaire
returns] 76 9.5 Lessons learned from reviewed
assessments 88
9.1.4 Tablesand figuresforsection 9.1
(summaryand analysisofquestionnaire 9.6 Application ofcriteria toassessments 89
returns! 76
9.6.1 Keyfindingsfrom section 9.6
9.2 Geographicalcoverage 79 (criteria analysis] 90
9.2 1 Provision forassessments 79 9.6.2 Tablesforsection 9.6 (criteria
analysis) 90
9.2.2 Location ofactivities 80
9.23 Keyfindingsfrom section 92
(geographicalcoverage) 80 Annex10:Summarylistofallreportedassessments
andscientificactivitiesdetailedin
9.2.4 Tablesand figuresforsection9.2 sectionAofquestionnairereturns 92
(geographicalcoverage) 80
9.3 Thematic coverage 83
Annex11:Summaryofalladditionalresponses
9.3.1 Coverage ofthematicareas 83 (excludingquestionnairereturns) 11
9.3.2 Thematicgaps 8k
9.3.3 Changes overtime 8k Annex 12:Criteriadefinitionsandscoringsystem 11
9.3.4 Keyfindingsfrom section 9.3
(thematiccoverage! 84
Annex13:Integrationofexistingassessmentsinto
9.3.5 Tablesand figuresforsection 9.3 aGMA-overviewofactual(orpotential)
(thematiccoverage) 85 impediments 122
Note:Therecommendationsare based onthe information received from regionaland globalorganizations, in particularonthe
analysisofcompleted questionnaires. Itwasnotinthescopeofthisstudytoconsiderfurtherinformation on marine
assessmentsand related scientificactivitiesfromtheliteratureandthe Internet. Duetothe large numberofassessments
reviewed, ithasnot been possibleto refertoand acknowledge individuallyalltheexcellentworkthat iscurrentlybeing carried
outat regionaland globallevels.
.
Global Marine Assessments
Introduction
1.
1.1 Preamble' mental assessments and related scientific activities
This study has been conducted in response to the UNEP carried out at regional and global levels under relevant
Governing CouncilDecision21/13ona 'Globalassessment organizations or conventions. The report considers the
of the state of the marine environment' (Annex 3), which marineenvironmenttoincludeestuaries,coastalregions,
requests the Executive Director of UNEP, in cooperation continental shelves and open oceans. A more detailed
with UNESCO-IOC and otherappropriate UN agencies,the background to the implementation of UNEP Governing
SecretariatoftheConventionon BiologicalDiversity,andin CouncilDecision 21/13 is presented in AnnexU.
consultation with the regional seas programmes, to
explore the feasibilityofestablishing a regular process for 1.2 Methodology
the assessment of the state of the marine environment, In order to fulfil the requirements set out in the project
with active involvement by governments and regional document (Annex 5), a methodology was developed and
agreements, building on ongoing assessment pro- implemented in fourphases: I: Pre-studypreparations: II
grammes'. ImplementationoftheUNEPGC Decision21/13 Contacting administrative and scientific bodies; III
has led to the concept of a Global Marine Assessment Compilation, analysis and interpretation of information
|GMA] mechanism by the international community, as and IV: Preparationofconclusionsand recommendations.
demonstratedbythecommitmentmadebygovernmentsat Fulldetails ofthe methodologycan befound inAnnex6.
the World Summit on Sustainable Development, South To collect information for Phase II on existing and
Africa,September2002. future marine environmental assessments, a question-
This study was executed by UNEP-WCMC in naire (Annex 7) was developed and sent to more than 200
collaboration with UNESCO-IOC and supported by UNEP assessment secretariatsand administrations (Annex 8).
and the national Governments of Germany, Iceland and At the beginning of the study an advisory group
the UK in response to the outcomes of the Bremen was established to guide the process and its progress.
meeting (UNEP, 20021. The objective of this study is to This group was composed of representatives from the
contribute tothe establishmentofa regularprocess,with sponsoring and executing bodies including UNEP-DEWA,
the supportofthe United Nations, forglobal reporting on the UNEP Regional Seas Secretariat, the IOC, the
and assessment of the state of the marine environment GovernmentsofGermany, IcelandandtheUK,andUNEP-
(Annex 1, working definitions]. It is to serve as factual WCMC. The group provided technical and editorial
background to complement the recommendations of two assistance throughout the study.
internationalmeetingsheld in Reykjavikand Bremenwith
respect to the feasibility, development and implemen- 1.3 Organizationofthe report
tation of a GMA. It aims to provide a snapshot of current The report is divided into four sections. This first section
marine assessments and provide reliable answers to the introduces thescope ofthe surveyand the background to
following questions: its implementation. Section 2 presents a summary ofthe
1 InwhatwayscouldaGMAprocessintegrateexistingand key findings from which the conclusions and
foreseenassessments? recommendations are derived in sections 3 and 4
2. Howcould identified thematicand geographicalgaps be respectively. In order to keep these sections concise,
addressedandfilled9 details of the background, the methods used in the
The report presents information resulting from quantitative analysis of data, a glossary and table of
the analysis of 82 existing and future marine environ- acronyms aregiven in theannexes.
AglossaryofworkingdefinitionsandtableofacronymsusedinthereportarepresentedinAnnexes 1 and2respectively
