Oceans Day at DurbanAt the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 17)

December 3, 2011Rio Conventions Pavilion, Climate Change Response ExpoCentrum Car Park, Bram Fisher Road, Durban, South Africa

SUMMARY

South Africa

Oceans Day at Durban Organizers

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Purpose The world’s oceans play a central role in climate, akin to theEarth’s lungs and circulatory system--generating oxygen, ab-sorbing carbon dioxide and regulating climate andtemperature. Oceans already absorb over 80% of the heatadded to the climate system and nearly 50% of all CO2 addedto the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels over the past 250years. However, the ocean’s ability to provide these essentialservices is now at risk. Rising ocean temperatures can lead tovarious impacts including melting polar ice, rising sea levels,alterations in the distribution and abundance of marinespecies, erratic weather patterns, increased frequency and in-tensity of storms, and changes in ocean currents. As well,rising levels of CO2 absorbed by seawater has increased theacidity of the oceans by roughly 30%, posing serious threatsto marine ecosystems and the millions of people dependentupon them. The more than 50% of the human populationthat lives in 183 coastal countries, including 44 small islandnations, are at the frontline of climate change and will sufferdisproportionate impacts. Oceans and coasts, however, re-main low on the agenda of the UNFCCC.

Oceans Day at Durban was co-organized by the Global OceanForum in collaboration with the Department of Environ-mental Affairs of the Government of South Africa, theIntergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO(IOC-UNESCO), the Global Environment Facility, United Na-tions Development Programme, the GEF UNDP/UNEPAfrican Large Marine Ecosystem projects, and the PlymouthMarine Laboratory. Oceans Day, attended by over 180 partic-ipants, was held at the Rio Convention Pavilion, at the 17thsession of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UN-FCCC in Durban, South Africa. Oceans Day featuredpresentations from representatives from all sectors, including

governments, international agencies, NGOs, and the scien-tific community, on major topics in oceans and climate toreiterate the urgent need to address oceans and coasts withinand outside the UNFCCC, including through the develop-ment of an integrated strategy for oceans and climate and thepossible creation of a caucus of coastal countries within theUNFCCC.

Oceans Day at Durban was co-chaired by Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, President, Global Ocean Forum; Deputy MinisterRejoice Mabudafhasi, Department of Environmental Affairsand Fisheries, South Africa; and Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright,Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental OceanographicCommission of UNESCO.

This was the third Oceans Day held in the context of the UN-FCCC, following Oceans Day at Copenhagen at the UNFCCCCOP 15, on December 14 2009 and Oceans Day at Cancun atthe UNFCCC COP 16, on December 4, 2010.

Major topics addressed during Oceans Day at Durban in-cluded:

� Building a Comprehensive Program on Oceans and Climate

� Climate Change and Sustainable Development

❍ Tying COP 17 Outcomes to the Rio+20 Process

� Urgent Action on Climate Change:

❍ Ecological, Social and Economic Rationale

❍ Evidence from the Large Marine Ecosystems (LME)

� Climate Change, Fisheries and Aquaculture

� Progress on Major Issues: Ocean Acidification, Blue Carbon, Curbing Air Pollution from Ships

ORGANIZED BY:

• Global Ocean Forum• Department of Environmental Affairs

of the Government of South Africa• Global Environment Facility (GEF)• UN Development Programme (UNDP)• Intergovernmental Oceanographic

Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO)• University of Delaware• New Partnership for Africa's

Development (NEPAD)

• Global Partnership Climate, Fisheries and Aquaculture (PaCFA)

• Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems (ASCLME) Project

• Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) Programme

• Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) Project

• Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) Project

• Food and Agriculture Organization of theUnited Nations

• World Meteorological Organization• Plymouth Marine Laboratory • World Ocean Network• The Organizing Committee for EXPO

2012 Yeosu Korea• City of Yeosu, Republic of Korea• Korea Ocean Research and Development

Institute

OCEANS DAY17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 17)Durban, South Africa3 December 2011

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� Financing, Capacity Building, and Public Education

� Mobilizing a Coastal and Ocean Caucus of Countrieswithin the UNFCCC

� Link Between Oceans, Inland Fisheries, and FreshwaterSystems

Oceans Day at Durban also highlighted the importance oflinking the UNFCCC COP 17 deliberations to the Rio+20Conference to achieve a significant ocean outcome. UNFCCC COP 17 was held at a critical time in the lead up tothe UN Conference on Sustainable Development (the Rio+20Conference) to be held on June 20-22, 2012, and provides animportant opportunity to focus political attention on the im-portance of oceans and climate issues in the context ofsustainable development goals. The Global Ocean Forum hasbeen active in the Rio+20 process, drafting a report on Oceansat Rio+20: How Well Are We Doing in Meeting the Commitmentsfrom the 1992 Earth Summit and the 2002 World Summit on Sus-tainable Development? (Summary for Decision Makersavailable at: http://www.globaloceans.org/sites/udel.edu.globaloceans/files/Rio20SummaryReport.pdf), as well as con-ducting multi-stakeholder policy dialogues in the Rio+20preparatory process to provide governments and civil societywith a platform to articulate their needs and concerns re-garding ocean and coastal issues in sustainable developmentand to begin to develop a coherent set of priorities for theRio+20 Conference.

The Global Ocean Forum’s Work on Oceansand Climate Issues

The Global Ocean Forum has made issues related to climatechange and oceans a major theme of its work. The GlobalOcean Forum co-organized the Global Ocean Policy Day atthe World Ocean Conference (May 11-15, 2009, Manado, In-donesia), which produced the Manado Oceans Declaration,stressing the importance of oceans in the climate changeagenda of the UNFCCC negotiations. The Global OceanForum organized the first-ever Oceans Day at UNFCCC 15 inCopenhagen, on December 14, 2009, which highlighted theneed to focus attention on oceans, coasts and SIDS in the cli-mate negotiations. At Oceans Day in Copenhagen, morethan 300 leaders from governments, UN agencies, NGOs, sci-ence and industry from 40 countries underscored that theUNFCCC should focus greater attention on the central roleplayed by oceans in climate and that an integrated oceans

and coasts program should be developed within the UNFCCC (http://www.oceansday.org/pdf/summary.pdf).

Climate and oceans was also a central theme at the FifthGlobal Oceans Conference 2010, held in Paris, UNESCO,May 3-7, 2010, co-organized by the Global Ocean Forum, theGovernment of France, and the Intergovernmental Oceano-graphic Commission (IOC-UNESCO), along with 67 otherorganizations around the world, and involving 850 leadersfrom 80 countries. The Conference’s concluding statementemphasized the need to launch a comprehensive ocean andclimate initiative within and outside the UNFCCC process,including elements of mitigation, adaptation measures, pro-grams focusing on capacity development, public educationand awareness, and measures to address the issues associatedwith the possible displacement of coastal populations.

In December 2010, the Global Ocean Forum continued itswork in the UNFCCC process by convening Oceans Day atCancún at UNFCCC COP 16, which was co-organized by theGlobal Ocean Forum, in association with the Global Envi-ronment Facility, the Secretaries of Environment and NaturalResources of the Mexican States of Campeche, Quintana Roo,and Yucatan, and the Secretariat of Environment and NaturalResources (SEMARNAT), Mexico, in collaboration with UN-Oceans and the United Nations Development Programme.Oceans Day at Cancún brought together Parties and ObserverStates, intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, the scientificcommunity, and members of civil society to focus on theneed for sufficient funding to support bold mitigation andadaptation measures to minimize climate change impacts oncoastal communities and ocean resources. Additionally,Oceans Day featured working group sessions to advancestrategic thinking on aspects of a comprehensive agenda onoceans and climate, and special sessions on adaptation needsand related financing.

Oceans Day at Durban at UNFCCC COP 17, the third OceansDay to be held in the context of the UNFCCC aimed to con-tinue the multi-stakeholder discussions on the pressing andemerging oceans and climate issues and the need to considervarious policy approaches to mitigating the mitigating ad-verse impacts of climate change on oceans, marine resources,and coastal communities.

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9:00-10:15 AM

Session 1—Welcome and Opening Session

Oceans and Coasts at the UNFCCC and at Rio+20: The Need for Concerted ActionChair: Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright, Executive Secretary, Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO(IOC-UNESCO)

Why Oceans Day at Durban? Building a Comprehensive Program on Oceans and ClimateDr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, President, Global Ocean Forum

Climate Change and Sustainable Development: TyingCOP 17 Outcomes to the Rio+20 Process Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright, Executive Secretary, Intergovern-mental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

Special Address--South Africa’s Perspectives on Oceans and ClimateDeputy Minister Mrs. Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Ministry ofWater and Environmental Affairs, South Africa

Special Address Mr. Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Special Address Ambassador Marlene Moses, Permanent Representative ofNauru to the UN, and Chair, Pacific SIDS (TBC)

Yeosu DeclarationDr. Dosoo Jang, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI)

10:15 AM-12:00 PM

Session 2--Climate Change and African Fisheries--Ensuring Food Security and Sustainable LivelihoodsChair:Mr. Sloans Chimatiro, The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)

Climate Change Impacts on the Biophysics and Economics of World Fisheries

Dr. Rashid Sumaila, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

Experiences from the Fishing and Fish Farming Communities

Dr. Daniel Jamu, WorldFish Centre, Malawi

Mr. Ndiaga Diop, West African Fisheries Policy Network(REPAO)

Mr. Namado Okela, Fishnet Africa

Fisheries and Aquaculture in the African LDC NAPA -What Have the Countries Identified?

Ms. Cassandra De Young, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

The NEPAD FAO Fisheries Programme - A Roadmap for aChanging Climate

Mr. Sloans Chimatiro, The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)

Durban Declaration on Climate Change and AfricanFisheries

Mr. Papa Gora Ndiaye, Executive Secretary, Network on Fishing Policies in West Africa (REPAO)

Panel Discussion and Questions from Audience

12:00 PM-1:00 PM LUNCH

Video presentations NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, and Global Partnership Climate, Fisheries and Aquaculture (PacFa)

Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystem (ASCLME) Project

1:00-2:00 PM

Session 3--Urgent Action Needed on Climate Change--Ecological, Social and Economic Rationale--Evidencefrom the Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs)Chair: Dr. Hashali Hamukuaya, Executive Secretary, Benguela Current Commission, Chair, African Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) Caucus

Overview of Climate Issues in the Large Marine Ecosys-tems Around the WorldDr. Hashali Hamukuaya, Executive Secretary, Benguela Current Commission, Chair, African Large Marine Ecosystem(LME) Caucus

Experiences from African LMEs (Benguela Current,Guinea Current, Canary Current and Agulhas and Somali Current) (joint presentation):Dr. David Vousden, Regional Director, Agulhas and SomaliCurrent Large Marine Ecosystem (ACLME) Project

Mr. Nico Willemse, Senior Project Manager, Benguela CurrentLarge Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) Programme

Dr. Max Donkor, Regional Coordinator & Executive Secretary,Interim Guinea Current Commission/Guinea Current LargeMarine Ecosystem Project

Special Presentation on Monaco Workshop on "Sustain-able Use of Oceans”Mr. Benjamin Valli, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monaco

Panel Discussion and Questions from Audience

2:00-3:30 PM

Session 4--Progress on Major Oceans and Climate IssuesChair:Mr. Ashley Naidoo, Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa

Ocean Acidification—The Other CO2 ProblemDr. Carol Turley, Senior Scientist, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK

Curbing Air Pollution from Ships, Geo-engineering IssuesMr. Jo Espinoza-Ferrey, Director, Marine Environment Division, International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Oceans Day at DurbanAGENDA

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Linking the Science and Economics of Blue CarbonDr. Brian Murray, Director for Economic Analysis, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University

Public Education and Outreach Mr. Philippe Vallette, General Manager, Nausicaa, and Co-President, World Ocean Network (WON)

RTD Ongoing Research Initiatives Towards Better Understanding the Interrelations Between ClimateChange and Oceans Mr. Luca Perez, Research and Innovation, Climate ChangeUnit, European Commission

UN Inter-Agency Report on "Green Economy in a BlueWorld"

Mr. Nick Nuttall, Acting Communications Director andSpokesperson

UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

Panel Discussion and Questions from Audience

3:30-4:30 PM

Session 5--Oceans and Climate Issues in Small Island Developing StatesChair: Ambassador Ronald Jumeau, Permanent Representativeof Seychelles to the United Nations

Ambassador Dessima Williams, Permanent Mission of Grenadato the United Nations, and Chair, Alliance of Small IslandStates

Mr. Selwin Hart, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Barbadosto the UN, and Chief Negotiator for Climate Change for Barbados

Mr. Luke Daunivalu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Fijito the United Nations

Angus Friday, International Climate Policy Specialist, World Bank, and Former Chair, Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)

Panel Discussion and Questions from Audience0-6:00 PM

4:30-5:45 PM

Session 6--Financing, Capacity Building and Public Education for AdaptationChair: Ms. Mary Barton-Dock, Director, Environment Department, World Bank

Strategic Climate Financing for Adaptation on the Frontlines: Differential Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Opportunities for Coastal and Island CountriesMs. Janot-Reine Mendler de Suarez, Co-Chair, Global OceanForum Working Group on Oceans and Climate

Joint Programme of Action for African Coastal Nations: Exploring the Potential and Gaining Consensus on Adaptation Dr. Razeena Omar, Chief Director, Integrated Coastal Manage-ment, Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa

Improving Adaptation Capacity through IntegratedCoastal and Ocean Management (ICM) in IndonesiaDr. Hendra Yusran Siry, Deputy Director for Technical Services, Research Centre for Marine and Fisheries Socio-Economic(RCMFSE), Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF),Indonesia

SEA Pledge--Encouraging Ocean and Coastal StewardshipAmong All StakeholdersDr. Anthony Ribbink, Director, Sustainable Seas Trust, andChair, Steering Committee, South East African Climate Consortium

Managing Risks in the World's Coasts: Perspectives fromthe Insurance Industry

Dr. Koko Warner, Executive Director, Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII)

Panel Discussion and Questions from Audience

5:45-6:45 PM

Session 7--Closing Session: Mobilizing for Action onOceans and Climate

Special AddressAmbassador Dr. Ben Ngubane, Former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Province, Former Minister of Science and Technology,Former Ambassador of South Africa to Japan

Special AddressDr. Gustavo Fonseca, Head, Natural Resources, Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Presentation of SEA Pledge By South African Children

Co-Chairs of Oceans Day at DurbanDr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, President, Global Ocean Forum

Deputy Minister Mrs. Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Ministry of Waterand Environmental Affairs, South Africa

Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright, Executive Secretary, Intergovern-mental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

Panel Discussion and Questions from Audience

6:45 PM

Reception

Special AddressMinister Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology,South Africa

Video Presentations New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planningand Coordinating Agency, and Global Partnership Climate

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At the meeting outset, the co-chairs of Oceans Day emphasized the need for continued dialogues to garner high-level attention on the need to address

ocean and coastal issues in the UNFCCC and an importantvenue for highlighting developing knowledge of differentoceans and climate issues, as well as to highlight positive ex-amples and best practices in governance and management.

Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, President of the Global OceanForum outlined the importance of addressing ocean andcoastal issues in the UN climate negotiations. She noted theimportance of UNFCCC COP 17 as an important steppingstone on the road to the Rio+20 Conference. Dr. Cicin-Saindiscussed the work of the Global Ocean Forum in workingwith governments and other stakeholders to achieve a strongoceans outcome at the Rio+20 Conference. She presented theGlobal Ocean Forum’s report, “Oceans at Rio+20: How WellAre We Doing in Meeting the Commitments from the 1992Earth Summit and the 2002 World Summit on SustainableDevelopment?” (Summary for Decision Makers available at:http : / /www.globaloceans .org/s i tes/udel .edu.g lobaloceans/files/Rio20SummaryReport.pdf), describing themain findings of the report for key issue-areas such as ecosys-tem-based integrated ocean and coastal management(EBM/ICM), small island developing States, sustainable fish-eries and aquaculture, biodiversity and marine protectedareas (MPAs), and capacity development.

Dr. Cicin-Sain also discussed the Global Ocean Forum’sanalysis of input on oceans to the Rio+20 compilation docu-ment, which found significant support for addressing oceanand coastal issues at the Rio+20 Conference. The analysisfound that, of those analyzed, 100% of political groups andregional preparatory meeting outcomes mentioned oceans intheir submissions, as did 67% of countries, 25% of UN agen-cies, and 16% of major groups. Dr. Cicin-Sain outlined thefollowing elements of a comprehensive program on oceansand coasts, both within and beyond the UNFCCC:

• Enact stringent and immediate reductions in CO2emissions

• Deepen understanding and policy approaches to support “Blue Carbon”

• Accelerate progress on mitigation approaches usingoceans and coasts

• Undertake climate change adaptation in vulnerablecoastal areas

• Build the capacity of coastal and island areas to predict,understand, and respond to the risks posed by climatechange; and

• Work with coastal countries to raise awareness about theimplications of climate change impacts on ocean andcoastal areas

Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright, Executive Secretary, IOC-UNESCO, called for significant ocean related outcomesfrom the Durban climate change negotiations. She high-lighted the need for initiatives to address climate changeespecially as it relates to the ocean, including the need formore funding towards Green Climate Fund carbon mitiga-tion projects, which would also ensure greater protection andrestoration of vital habitats, and improve international andnational capacity. Dr. Watson-Wright discussed the lack of in-formation, which could be addressed with additional oceanobservation systems in least developed countries (LDCs) andSIDS. She noted that advancement of the blue economywould also have large benefits such as allowing for new jobcreation that would exceed the losses in ‘brown economy’jobs. Lastly, Dr. Watson-Wright suggested a global system ofclimate-resilient marine protected areas (MPAs) be set up tostrengthen the institutional framework and protect habitatsand biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.

Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Ministry of Waterand Environmental Affairs, South Africa, highlighted the in-terconnected nature of the oceans and the livelihoods of allof the world’s citizens, and particularly those in developingcountries that rely on their natural capital. While the closeconnection of the developing world to the natural ocean en-vironment was recognized as both an asset and a gift, it alsomakes these countries more vulnerable to environmental

SUMMARY OF OCEANS DAY AT DURBANOceans and Coasts at the UNFCCC and at Rio+20:

The Need for Concerted ActionPrepared by Joe Appiott, Marisa Van Hoeven, and Ryan Ono, Global Ocean Forum

Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Dr. Dosoo Jang, and Wendy Watson-Wright

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changes. These changes, including ocean acidification,warming, and decreased oxygen levels, affect not only fish-eries, but also the way in which cultures are defined. DeputyMinister Mabudafhasi noted that the slower and longer last-ing impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems havethe potential to more permanently alter people’s lives andability to provide for themselves, and that these must be rec-ognized in resilience planning in addition to extremeweather events. As a result, the threat of climate change re-quires that resilience be prioritized, particularly as new oceanuses emerge.

Recognizing South Africa’s vast ocean territory and the im-portance of its resources, Mrs. Mabudafhasi drew attention tothe recently created Oceans and Coastal Unit within TheMinistry of Water and Environmental Affairs of South Africa,which focuses on three broad areas of work: integratedcoastal management, ocean conservation, and Antarctic andhigh seas management. South Africa has recently enacted theIntegrated Coastal Zone Management Act, and are in theprocess of drafting an ocean policy.

At the international level, the Deputy Minister recognizedthat action must be focused. She noted the need for continu-ing discussion and commitment to the promotion of oceanissues in workshops and various international fora, as onlysustained intervention can impact global agendas. Speakingon capacity building, Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi has no-ticed that there is a lack of internationally recognizedexpertise to serve national and regional needs, particularly inthe ocean and coastal sectors. It was suggested that improve-ments on the effective delivery of capacity could beaccomplished by that establishment of regional centers of ex-cellence that can provide developing countries with theexpertise they require in the long term.

“We need to redefine how we prioritize and deliver capacity.Centers of excellence and capacity must be developed withindeveloping regions rather than being transplanted for periodsof time, as has been the mode of delivery over the last fewdecades.

These centers of excellence based in developing regions andcountries, will be best placed to understand the knowledge requirements that efficient adaptation planning will require.Many countries in developing regions like South Africa havesome capacity in various science disciplines. In order to contribute to enhancing resilience through wise investmentin adaptation, we must move from data generation in international science programs to information and knowl-edge generation for local and community planning. This willbe meaningful to the lives of people who are least resilient.”

Deputy Minister Mrs. Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs, South Africa

Dr. Dosoo Jang, Korea Ocean Research and Development In-stitute (KORDI), presented information on the developmentof the Yeosu Declaration on the Living Ocean and Coast, tobe presented at the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. At the time of thepresentation, over 100 countries from all regions of theworld, as well as representatives from local governments andinternational organizations had committed to participation.The objectives of the conference were provided, and includeincreasing the level of interest in the issues and phenomenafacing the oceans and coats among the world’s citizens, aswell as to consolidate the will of the international commu-nity to commit to the protection of the marine environmentwhile fostering opportunities to advance environmentallyfriendly opportunities for green growth. The Yeosu Declara-tion is being drafted by a committee of domestic and marineexperts from various sectors, and will be reviewed by both na-tional and international committees and aims to be thoughtprovoking, universally acceptable, actionable, and progres-sive. The Declaration will focus on key issue-areas, includingthe important role of the ocean for human subsistence, pol-lutants and debris, climate change, ocean acidification,maritime culture, and opportunities for green economicgrowth and food security, and will outline the need for com-mitments from both governments and the public, capacitybuilding and education, development assistance and invest-ment, and concerted efforts at both the national andinternational level.

Mr. Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteoro-logical Organization (WMO), outlined the importance ofmonitoring climate variability and the need for further collaboration and coordinated monitoring initiatives. Hetouched on the strong collaboration between the WMO and IOC-UNESCO. As well, he presented the main findings ofWMO’s latest statement on the global climate, highlighting thestrong influence of a La Niña event as well as data that indicatesthe lowest Arctic ice level on record, pointing to the impacts ofa changing climate on the global atmospheric system.

Mr. Michel Jarraud, Dep. Minister Mrs. Rejoice Mabudafhasi, and WendyWatson-Wright)

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Climate Change and African Fisheries: Ensuring Food Security and SustainableLivelihood

Dr. Sloans Chimatiro, Senior Fisheries Advisor for the NewPartnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), chaired thepanel on Climate Change and African Fisheries. Dr. Chi-matiro delivered a statement on behalf of Dr. Hassan Mayaki,CEO of NEPAD, which outlined the importance of fisheries tothe African people. The statement noted that African coastalcommunities are already feeling the effects of climatechange, as evidenced by the loss of cyclical inundations inthe floodplains due to erratic rainfalls, impacting the liveli-hoods and food security of riparian communities.

The statement highlighted the outcome of the First Confer-ence of the African Ministers of Fisheries & Aquaculture(CAMFA), which was held in Banjul, the Gambia, in Septem-ber 2011. The ministers present at the Conferencerecommended that climate change be mainstreamed in fish-eries policies and management programs in Africa. TheConference also highlighted a number of international part-nerships, including the Swedish International DevelopmentAgency (SIDA), which aims to “reduce vulnerability ofAfrican fisheries, through disaster risk management (DRM)and climate change adaptation.” In addition, it was notedthat a majority of the countries that have developed nationalComprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Pro-grammes (CAADP) have identified fisheries and aquacultureas key drivers of the growth of the agricultural sector.

As you all know, fisheries are vital for many Africans whodaily catch, process, transport and sell fish. Their work re-sults in a range of benefits for the continent, and mostsignificantly, this includes the production of a large volumeof fish for food. This food that is consumed locally is tradedacross the continent and exported globally.

Although the African fisheries sector produces substantialbenefits, the continent faces major problems to ensure long-term resource sustainability. And one of these problems isclimate change. On our part, the NEPAD Agency will doeverything within our mandate to ensure that climate-smartfisheries development programmes enable our member statesto achieve their goals with regard to ensuring that fisheriescontributes more effectively to the national food and nutri-tional security as well as economic development.

Dr. Sloans Chimatiro, Senior Fisheries Advisor, New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)speaking on behlalf of Dr. Hassan Mayaki, CEO of NEPAD

Dr. Chimatiro then discussed the NEPAD-FAO Fish Pro-gramme (NFFP), which is structured in three components toattain the overarching goals of poverty alleviation, food se-

curity, and equitable economic growth through the responsi-ble and sustainable management of fisheries. The threecomponents of the program focus on (i) enhanced multi-level governance, policy coherence and economicintegration, (ii) improved responsible management throughthe Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) and Aquaculture(EAA), and (iii) reduced vulnerability through disaster riskmanagement (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA).Enhanced governance, and policy integration will proceedthrough capacity building in the NEPAD Planning and Coor-dination Agency, and improved delivery of policy advice andbriefs in the area of national implementation, through link-age and a strategic planning process in the regional fisheriesbodies and basin commissions. Improved responsible man-agement through the EAF and EAA will be achieved throughimproved data and the requirement of environmental assess-ments in marine and inland fisheries. Disaster riskmanagement and climate change adaptation policies are tobe addressed through the integration and implementation atthe regional level, as well as the development of adaptationplans at the local and national levels. To realize each of thethree outcomes, the NFPP works at the regional policy levelthrough NEPAD, and through subregional bodies, as well asat the local level.

Dr. Daniel Jamu of the WorldFish Center, Malawi, presenteda case study of the Lake Chilwa Fishery, illustrating that theproductivity of inland fisheries, and the livelihoods they pro-vide, are affected by climate change anomalies. Dr. Jamupresented a picture of the climate change adaptation experi-ence at Lake Chilwa. He provided references for various

Mr. Namado Okela, Dr. Daniel Jamu, Dr. Ndiaga Diop, Dr. RashidSumaila, Mr. Papa Gora Ndiaye, Ms. Cassandra De Young, and Mr. Sloans Chimatiro

Attendees listen to presentations on fisheries and climate change.

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scientific studies on Lake Tagnaikya, Lake Malawi, and shal-low African lakes that show increases in lake temperature andeutrophication, as well as reduced primary productivity andfish harvest rates. He noted the critical importance of fisheriesin Malawi, providing direct employment for 500,000 individ-uals and approximately $64 million USD in annual value. Thelake was recognized as one of particular interest because thedepth and resulting fishery production is driven in part byrainfall, and is prone to partial or complete drying in times ofdrought. In addition to rainfall, the lake is affected by anthro-pogenic impacts including increased runoff and siltationresulting from poor agricultural practices and deforestation, aswell as the burning of wetlands and forest biomass. Recogniz-ing the importance of an adaptation plan for the Lake, theRoyal Norwegian Embassy has funded the Lake Chilwa basingclimate change and adaptation program, which is being im-plemented by Leadership for Environment and Development(LEAD)/University of Malawi, the WorldFish Center, and theForestry Research Institute of Malawi. The project aims to uti-lize the IPCC adaptation programme framework to secure thelivelihoods of the population of the basin utilizing the ecosys-tem approach, and to build local capacity to manage climatechange impacts, including cross-sectoral planning and man-agement. The program hopes to increase the value of thelake’s fishery through improvements in processing, leadershiptraining, increasing the capacity of women processors, in-creasing resilience through participatory monitoring,reductions in IUU fishing, aforrestation of upstream degradedareas, improved agricultural practices to decrease erosion andrunoff, and long-term water level monitoring.

Mr. Ndiaga Diop, West African Fisheries Policy Network(REPAO), presented on a West African fisheries adaptationprogram focusing on indigenous peoples. This project wasstarted in 2011 as a way to address insufficient data andanalysis, and help fishermen adjust to climate change. Cur-rently the project operates in Cape Verde, Senegal, and theRepublic of Guinea, and the information collected on speciesdistribution, salinity changes, acidification changes, and im-portant fish stock migrations has been shared withdecision-makers to help all parties discuss the impacts of cli-mate change on fisheries in west Africa. Mr. Diop furtherexplained a book on this topic has been published in SouthAfrica, and a documentary film has been produced as well.Moving ahead he stated the project may be upscaled toneighboring areas to help local decision-makers and assist inthe application of the adaptation strategies.

Ms. Cassandra de Young, FAO, discussed the overall pictureof the fisheries and aquaculture sectors at the national levelin terms of the National Adaptation Programmes of Action(NAPA) under the UNFCCC. Countries have developedNAPAs in an effort to designate, coordinate, and communi-cate priority actions at the national level to access adaptationfunding mechanisms. They contain an overview of projectedclimate change impacts, a vulnerability analysis of the sec-

tors, the potential for adaptation, and a list of ranked activi-ties to facilitate the development and implementation of theplan. Ms. de Young presented an FAO review of existingNAPAs, in which the importance of the fisheries and aqua-culture sectors was analyzed in order to better understandpriorities, to improve planning and integration within theFAO and with other partners and governments, and to betterinform the climate change community regarding fisheriesand aquaculture issues. The analysis revealed that fisherieswas identified as important in terms of climate change adap-tation, and was mentioned in 36 of the 44 available NAPAs.Many of these NAPAs contained ocean and coastal PriorityActivities, including 47 activities targeting the fisheries andaquaculture sectors. Ms. de Young also presented some of theidentified gaps, including detailed analysis of the fisheriessector in the NAPAs, the need to address regional and trans-boundary issues, including those of watersheds and the LargeMarine Ecosystems, and an improved definition of vulnera-bility to generate consistency across the NAPAs. Ms. de Youngoutlined the next steps in the process, which include imple-mentation through dedicated funds, to support the revisionof NAPAs and national processes to include broader consulta-tion with the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, particularly incases where interests may be underrepresented, to effectivelycoordinate integrated and cross-sectoral projects, and to ad-dress transboundary issues.

Mr. Okeloh W’Namadoa, Fishnet Africa, discussed theAfrica Eco-labeling Mechanism (AEM), which bear similari-ties to the forest certification systems. The mechanism aimsto establish a system for sustainability standards, which willessentially function as a quality assurance mechanism. It willutilize a set of criteria, including social, ecological, and cli-mate-relevant criteria. Through this recognition system, itwill encourage standards systems to address climate-relevantissues such as product carbon footprints or carbon offsettingschemes, which have not yet been tackled adequately by ex-isting standards systems. This will improve the image ofsustainable African products and thereby foster their tradingand marketing opportunities. He underlined that the stan-dard looks at air and GHG emissions management, as well asenergy efficiency.

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Dr. Rashid Sumaila, the University of British Columbia, un-derscored that, even in the absence of climate changeimpacts, global fisheries, and particularly those in Africa, areunder immense pressure. He noted that climate changecauses severe shifts in the biophysical characteristics of theocean, with implications for fisheries, and that this will in-crease the costs of fishing, thereby affecting the affordabilityand availability of viable sources of protein, particularly inleast developed countries.

Mr. Papa Gora Ndiaye, Executive Secretary, Network onFishing Policies in West Africa (REPAO) presented the DurbanDeclaration on Climate Change and African Fisheries (foundin Annex 3 to the Oceans Day at Durban Statement at theend of this report). The declaration, which draws attention tothe fisheries sector’s vulnerability to climate calls for actionsto support the resilience and adaptive capacity of Africanfisheries including through actions such as incorporatingfisheries and aquaculture in African national adaptationplans climate adaptation strategies, action by states, and re-gional fishery bodies to support fisheries adaptation byaccessing funding mechanisms aimed at climate changeadaptation, disaster risk reduction, and supporting food secu-rity, and taking a people-centered and gender-sensitiveapproach to climate change adaptation in fisheries that in-corporates and supports local adaptation strategies andindigenous knowledge.

Urgent Action Needed on Climate Change:Ecological, Social and Economic Rationale—Evidence from the Large Marine Ecosystems(LMEs)

Dr. Hashali Hamukuaya, Executive Secretary of theBenguela Current Commission, on behalf of African LargeMarine Ecosystem Caucus, provided an overview of the man-agement of the African LMEs and evidence of climate changeimpacts, including impacts on fisheries yields, ecological im-pacts, and social and economic effects. The identified humandrivers affecting LMEs include fishing, pollution, habitat de-struction, species introductions, and climate change, all ofwhich are leading to ecosystem alteration.

Dr. Hamukuaya discussed evidence for the effects of climatechange on fishery yields in the African LMEs. Scientific evi-dence suggests accelerated warming in 61 of the world’s 63LMEs around the world. Some of the identified ecological ef-fects of climate change on the African LMEs include theinundation of coastal areas, destruction of infrastructure, andthe collapse of coastal industries, as well as increased oppor-tunities for vector and water disease as a result of sea levelrise. Sea surface temperature increase could result in changesin the thermocline, which may affect surface water produc-tivity, and changes in species composition, includingdecreased biodiversity and ecological shifts. Other effects in-clude the increase in frequency and intensity of harmful algal

blooms and oxygen-depleted “dead zones.” From a socialperspective, climate change effects are expected to negativelyimpact livelihood security, particularly as a result of collapsedfisheries and forced relocation due to sea level rise.

[As a result of climate change impacts] millions of Africanpeople would go deeper into poverty while the overall poorerpopulations will increase significantly.

All the progress made to secure incomes and livelihoods, pro-vide education and, protect natural resources (as per MDGs)would be lost. Many socially and economically importantcoastal cities are low-lying. Whether anthropogenic or not,climate change and environmental variability are happening.This requires well-coordinated governance and managementresponses at global, regional, national and local levels.

Without understanding the response of the oceans, we havean extremely poor understanding of the climate system. TheLME Approach provides a vital opportunity to address theseneeds. Climate change is not an environmental problem – it is a development challenge and a human issue – humans need to act.

Dr. Hashali Hamukuaya, Executive Secretary of theBenguela Current Commission

The impacts of climate change, and responses taken, werediscussed for the Agulhas and Somali Current LME (AS-CLME), the Benguela Current LME (BCLME), the CanaryCurrent LME (CCLME), and the Guinea Current LME(GCLME). These areas are hotspots for increasing sea surfacetemperature and sea level rise, and have many vulnerable,low-lying communities. These rapid changes have causedshifts in fisheries, impacts on coral reefs, and other impacts,with significant implications for coastal communities de-pendent on these resources for sustenance and livelihoods. Inaddition to the environmental and social effects of climatechange, the potential for significant economic effects werealso noted, including loss of income and increases in the op-erational costs of fishing. These impacts outline the need forexpanded observation and data collection in ocean-atmos-phere linkages and in ecosystem variability to buildpredictive capacity for climate change impacts and driveadaptive management actions and provide guidance in thepolicy decision-making.

At the closing of this session, Benjamin Valli, Department ofInternational Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs fromMonaco spoke about the workshop on the “Sustainable Useof Oceans in the Context of the Green Economy and PovertyEradication” held in Monaco from 28-30 November 2011,which was focused on outlining priorities for oceans andcoasts for the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable De-velopment to be held in Brazil in June 2012. Mr. Vallihighlighted the discussions of the workshop and described

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the workshop’s outcome statement, “The Monaco Message,”which examines the social, economic, and environmental di-mensions of food security and safety, tourism, and energy,and also urges improvements to the global ocean governanceframework through the initiation of an international agree-ment for marine areas beyond national jurisdiction and theestablishment of a mechanism to achieve greater coherencewith the UN system

Progress on Major Oceans and Climate Issues

Dr. Brian Murray, Director Economic Analysis at Duke Uni-versity’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental PolicySolutions, gave a presentation on the linking of science, eco-nomics, and policy in the area of blue carbon. Discussing thereport, “Financing Options for Blue Carbon: Opportunitiesand Lessons from the REDD+ Experience,” Dr. Murray high-lighted that coastal ecosystems, including seagrass meadows,tidal salt marshes, and mangroves, store extremely largeamounts of carbon, possibly even more carbon per hectarethan tropical forests. He presented evidence that, based onthe revenue rate of $15/ton CO2, these ecosystems have thepotential to compete with other land uses, including agricul-ture and aquaculture, in carbon markets. Dr. Murrayemphasized that what is now needed is the integration ofblue carbon activities into the international financing andpolicy processes of the UNFCCC and into existing carbon fi-nance mechanisms outside the UNFCCC, including thevoluntary carbon market. In addition, he stressed the needfor a network of carbon demonstration projects, along withefforts to facilitate the inclusion of blue carbon into ecosys-tem service accounting. Recently, the UNFCCC SubsidiaryBody for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) an-nounced that mangroves fall under the existing REDD+program, and that salt marshes have the potential to be con-sidered in the wetland category, though the inclusion of seagrasses is less clear. The SBSTA called for more scientific infor-mation to inform future discussion and deliberation. Dr.Murray also touched on a number of existing research gaps,and the need for data collection and monitoring, particularlyin developing countries.

Dr. Carol Turley, Microbial Ecologist at the Plymouth Ma-rine Laboratory, discussed ocean acidification “the other CO2

problem." Ocean acidification, caused by increasing atmos-pheric carbon dioxide emissions, has resulted inunprecedented and rapid changes to ocean carbonate chem-istry. Dr. Turley stressed that if acidification continues at itscurrent rate, much of the ocean will become corrosive toshell-forming animals and corals, resulting in reduced calcifi-cation, growth, and reproduction rates for many species, andsevere impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems and the goodsand services they provide. Dr. Turley noted that certain areasare more vulnerable to acidification, including areas of up-welling, estuaries, polar waters, coastal waters, and tropicalcoral reefs, all of which are important areas for fisheries,thereby threatening global food security. Dr. Turley discussedthe three-pronged threat facing the oceans in (i) ocean acidi-fication due to increased levels of atmospheric CO2, (ii)ocean warming, and (iii) reduced levels of oxygen in seawa-ter, as rising temperatures reduce the solubility of oxygen.These three stressors can have negatively synergistic impactsand significantly compromise the ecosystem health of theoceans. She noted the “Ocean Under Stress guide” (availableat: www.OceanUnderStress.com, which outlines these im-pacts and was drafted by an international partnershipconsisting of Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Scripps Institu-tion of Oceanography at UC San Diego, OCEANA, theEuropean Project of Ocean Acidification (32 institutes from10 countries), the UK Ocean Acidification Research Pro-gramme (27 institutes from the UK), and the MediterraneanSea Acidification in a Changing Climate programme (16 in-stitutes from 10 countries)

Mr. Jo Espinoza-Ferrey, Director of the Marine Environ-ment Division of the International Maritime Organization(IMO), provided background of the various conventions,treaty instruments, and regulations that govern interna-tional shipping, including 21 instruments that dealexclusively with environmental protection. He presented abrief history of IMO’s efforts to curb air pollution fromships, including the 1992 Earth Summit and InternationalConvention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (alsocalled the “MARPOL Convention”), but pointed out thatgreenhouse gas emissions were deliberately excluded fromthese instruments, given the ongoing negotiations sur-

Mr. Nico Willemse, Dr. Hashali Hamukuaya, Dr. Max Donkor, and Dr. David Vousden

Mr. Philippe Vallette and Dr. Carol Turley

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rounding the Kyoto Protocol at the time, although a resolu-tion was adopted, which mandated the IMO’s MarineEnvironment Protection Committee to draw up a work planand guidelines on addressing GHG emissions. This workculminated in the adoption of amendments to Annex VI tointroduce regulations on energy efficiency for ships in July2011, which was the first-ever global mandatory energy ef-ficiency standard for an entire industry sector. The majorityof Parties to the MARPOL Convention approved the amend-ments, representing both Annex I and non-Annex I Statesin all regions of the world, including all major flag States,most major ship building nations, some of the least devel-oped countries (LDCs), SIDS, and countries that are highlyvulnerable to climate change effects. The amendments willreduce fuel combustion, leading to reductions in air pollu-tants and GHGs through two principal measures, thedevelopment of an Energy Efficiency Design Index bywhich new ships are to be built, and Ship Energy EfficiencyManagement Plans to guide operations on all ships. Theprojected emissions reductions have been estimated at 14%reduction from business as usual (BAU) by 2020 (150MtonsCO2 annually), and 23% (330Mtons CO2) of BAU by 2030.In addition to the recent energy efficiency amendments,Mr. Espinoza-Ferrey also discussed regulatory work by theIMO in the areas of technical and operational measures, onmarket-based measures, capacity building, transfer of tech-nology, and in ocean fertilization.

Mr. Luca Perez, Research and Innovation, Climate ChangeUnit, European Commission, discussed four main topics re-lated to oceans and climate; (i) The EU’s Seventh FrameworkProgramme (FP7), Europe’s regional programme for research,(ii) the status of the marine environment and climate changeresearch in the EU, (iii) key projects, and (iv) future direc-tions. He briefly introduced the goals and mechanisms ofFP7, and drew attention to the fact that many of the researchactivities supported by the Programme address sustainabledevelopment, including climate-related research. The Pro-gramme also incorporates funding opportunities fordeveloping countries and economies in transition throughcollaborative projects. FP7 provides for research on climate-related impacts on the marine environment, includingimpacts on marine ecosystems and ocean acidification. TheProgramme’s climate-related research aims to focus on thedifferent impacts due to climate change in different geo-graphic areas, and integrate a holistic perspective throughthe integration of environmental and socio-economic im-pacts. A brief overview of some of the projects andachievements of EU-funded research was provided, includingstudies on ecological responses to changes in ocean chem-istry. Mr. Perez also presented Horizon 2020 (2014-2020),which will provide a single framework programme mergingresearch and innovation based on three pillars; (i) an excel-lent science base, (ii) industrial leadership and competitiveframeworks, and (iii) tackling societal challenges (includingclimate change).

Mr. Philippe Vallette,Co-President of the World Ocean Net-work (WON), and General Manager of the Nausicaä CentreNational de la Mer, discussed the vision of the blue society.Mr. Vallette highlighted the importance of the oceans to ourplanet. In addition to the fisheries resources and the food se-curity it provides, the oceans comprise the cast majority ofthe living space on earth, contain 80% of the Earth’s livingorganisms, contain vast mineral resources, and have been asource for many pharmaceutical products. Taken as a whole,ocean resources are estimated to be valued at $21 trillion,which far surpasses the estimated $12 trillion of available ter-restrial resources. He painted a picture of the currentdilemma facing the oceans resulting from the exploitation offinite resources, pollution flowing from land-based sources,and disruptions in the sensitive balance of ocean ecosystemsdue to climate change. He noted that development has pro-ceeded in ways that has led to overconsumption andproduction of waste, disproportionate consumption in differ-ent nations, and increased vulnerability to environmentaldisturbances in poorer countries. He went on to explain thatexisting governance and management approaches are insuf-ficient to address these challenges.

200 years ago, at the beginning of the industrial revolution,we could not imagine that we were able, by our activities, tochange the great balance of our planet. We can see today the difficulties in the negotiations about climate change. This means that what we have to do is to think out of thebox. We are in a very exciting moment of the story of humankind: we need to reinvent a world, taking into account the fact that our planet is a limited world, with limited resources. And we, the ocean community, are con-vinced that an important part of the solution will comefrom the sea.

The “Blue Society” concept is based on the premise thatthere are two imperatives that society should integrate:

Satisfying the growing needs of our planet’s inhabitantstoday; and

Preserving the means of subsistence for the generations tocome, especially the resources and services provided by theocean in preserving the balance of marine ecosytems

Philippe Vallette, Co-President, World Oceans Network

Mr. Vallette describe the World Ocean Network’s vision for a“Blue Society,” which is built on the principle of satisfyingthe needs of a growing population while preserving the sub-sistence requirements of future generations. In this vision,the blue society must take into account aspects of the greeneconomy, and apply these principles and practices to the sus-tainable exploitation of marine resources. The Blue Societymust integrate social and cultural dimensions into environ-mental issues. Political leaders, decision-makers, and citizens

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must take an active role in the stewardship of resources, andall stakeholders must be included in the implementation ofthe critical issues that affect the world’s oceans and coasts.The Blue Society model must incorporate the entirety of de-mands in relation to sustainability from the social, economic,ecological, and cultural points of view. He emphasized thatintegrating these points of view within the frame of spatialand temporal equity must inform the policy making processto attain a provide new opportunities for all. In order for theBlue Society to succeed, the knowledge base must be ex-panded, including the fostering of pertinent research andinnovation, as well capacity building, educating and train-ing, sharing of experiences, and increasing public awarenessand commitment.

Case studies to highlight the possibilities of a blue societywere presented including: shrimp farming in Madagasgar,The Fiji Island Resort, and climate change adaptationthrough the planting of mangroves in Samoa. The WorldOcean Network, Naussica, and Mare Nortrum, in partner-ship with the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) hasproduced “Island Stories,” a multimedia project that givesvoice to SIDS issues.

Mr. Nick Nuttall, Acting Com-munications Director andSpokesperson for the UN Envi-ronment Programme (UNEP),provided an overview of a re-port prepared by UNEP and itspartners, titled “Green Econ-omy in a Blue World,” whichwas launched in January 2012.He stressed the need to address

important challenges facing the marine environment andthe negative implications for society. The report stresses theneed to phase out perverse subsidies in the fisheries sector,take further measures to green the shipping industry, reducethe spread and transmission of invasive marine species, andtap into the significant potential of marine-based renewables.

The marine environment is more than money, it is aboutjobs and livelihoods and echoes to humanity’s spiritual side.

But perhaps through understanding the enormous economiclosses being sustained by coastal countries and small is-lands, and the enormous opportunities from investing andre-investing in marine ecosystem—backed by smart publicpolicy—perhaps we can together tip the balance away fromdegradation and destruction to sustainable management forthis generation and the ones to come.

Nick Nuttall, Acting Communications Director andSpokesperson for the UN Environment Programme(UNEP)

Oceans and Climate Issues in Small IslandDeveloping States

Oceans Day also hosted a special session focused specificallyon the SIDS-related issues associated with climate change andoceans. Ambassador Ronald Jumeau, Permanent Represen-tative of Seychelles to the UN, who was the chair of thesession, noted that SIDS are essentially large ocean States anddepend significantly on healthy marine ecosystems for food,livelihood, and cultural value. As well, SIDS face the mostdrastic impacts from climate change and, in some cases, ris-ing sea level threatens their very survival. AmbassadorJumeau stressed the need for urgent action, and held thatmitigation, including ambitious reductions in GHG emis-sions as part of the UNFCCC climate regime is the real key toaddressing major climate and ocean issues. Recognizingmany nations’ claims that emissions reductions inhibits theirright to develop sustainably, but notes that SIDS cannot sup-port the right of these nations to develop sustainably, if it willmean the destruction of SIDS.

Ambassador Dessima Williams, Permanent Representativeof Grenada to the UN, and Chair of the Alliance of Small Is-land States (AOSIS), highlighted that climate change wasnow turning the ocean from a friend into an enemy of is-land communities and that, although Grenada has madeefforts to protect its oceans, the survival of SIDS depends onthe outcomes of the UNFCCC process. She explained thatocean ecosystems make up a continuum with land-basedecosystems, as evidenced by the mountains in Grenada, andthat it is important to take this holistic perspective when ad-dressing ocean issues. She noted that Grenada has takenmany efforts to address climate and ocean issues, but thatthese efforts must be scaled up both in Grenada and in SIDSall over the world.

Mr. Luke Daunivalu, Deputy Permanent Representative ofFiji to the UN, stressed that the ocean defines the 14 PacificSIDS, as oceans make up 97% of their jurisdiction. He identi-fied climate change and ocean acidification as the greatestadversity facing the Pacific SIDS, and called for increased ac-countability in global fisheries management. Mr. Daunivalu

Mr. Nick Nuttall

Amb. Angus Friday, Mr. Luke Daunivalu, Amb. Ronald Jumeau, and Amb. Dessima Williams

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highlighted three priorities for the Pacific SIDS in the Rio+20process, (1) Development aspirations of Pacific SIDS; (2) Fish-eries; and (3) Climate change and ocean acidification. Underthe first topic, the Pacific SIDS emphasize that the disconnectbetween international instruments governing oceans and theinstruments geared towards sustainable development pres-ents an important barrier to SIDS development aspirations.Regarding fisheries, Mr. Daunivalu stressed the need for stan-dardized RFMO performance review by the UNGA and theneed for enhanced support for innovative approaches, suchas vessel day trading schemes. On climate change, he calledfor international support for building the resilience of marineecosystems to ocean acidification and climate change andimproved monitoring and information-sharing.

Reflecting on Ambassador Williams’ comment about theocean turning from “a friend to an enemy,” AmbassadorAngus Friday, International Climate Policy Specialist at theWorld Bank, and former chair of AOSIS, noted that rising seasurface temperatures have been shown to change the path ofthe hurricane belt, now putting some SIDS in the path ofdangerous hurricanes. He noted that the global communitygathers at these negotiations year after year, but there is oftenlittle movement on many important issues. He stressed theneed for participants to think about “what they will do onMonday” to advance these issues both within the UNFCCCand on-the-ground. He also touched on the value of formingcaucuses of partners to both refine the arguments to bebrought to the climate negotiation and to complement thesewith on-the-ground efforts.

Mr. Selwin Hart,Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Bar-bados to the UN, and Chief Negotiator for Climate Change forBarbados briefly stepped away from the government negotia-tions to participate in Oceans Day at Durban, recognizing thecrucial role of oceans addressing climate change. He notedthat the science gives us clear indication that catastrophic im-pacts are inevitable if we don’t comprehensively address theimpacts of climate change. He also highlighted that manage-ment measures such as marine protected areas and measuresto address illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishingwill only be partially effective in ensuring the long-term sus-tainability of marine resources unless we address climatechange as well. He called for further legal commitments in ad-dition to the Kyoto Protocol, in line with the principle of

common but differentiatedresponsibilities (CBDR), tofully address the root causesof climate change. Mr. Hartalso stressed the need to fullyimplement the commitmentsmade at UNFCCC COP 16 inCancun and to look towardsdeveloping new sets of sus-tainable development at theRio+20 Conference.

The Honorable Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister ofHome Affairs of South Africa, expressed support for SIDS andurged the panelists and other SIDS delegates to continue theirefforts and ensure that their voices are heard loud and clearin the climate negotiations.

Financing, Capacity Building and Public Education for Adaptation

This afternoon session was chaired by Ms. Mary Barton-Dock,Director of the Environment Department at the WorldBank, who stressed the need to tap into private sector re-sources to improve sustainable use and conservation of oceanconservation, noting the private sector’s stake in ocean pro-ductivity. She discussed the possible need for a carbon tax onmaritime transport, the proceeds of which could be put backinto habitat protection and sustainable development forcoastal communities. She informed that the World Bankwould be carrying out work on wealth accounting to valueoceans and coastal ecosystem services.

Ms. Janot-Reine Mendler de Suarez, Independent Consult-ant at Oxfam America, and Chair of the Global Ocean ForumWorking Group on Oceans and Climate, delivered a presenta-tion titled “Strategic Climate Financing for Adaptation on theFrontlines: Differential Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Opportu-nities for Coastal & Island Countries.” She noted that the costestimate basis for the climate agreement that emerged fromUNFCCC COP 16 is fragmented and incomplete, includingthe fast-start financing and Green Climate Fund mechanisms.Most adaptation cost estimates are generally based on the in-accurate assumption that the coastal zone is a sector definedby the infrastructure at the interface between the land and thesea, and therefore fails to take into account the complex webof social and environmental impacts that affects the full spec-trum of livelihoods and securities–food security, health,protection from natural hazards, etc.–of roughly half theworld’s population living at increasing risk in coastal and is-land areas. As well, she also gave an overview of aWorldBank/UN report on disasters, which estimates that in-sured tropical cyclone damage is expected to increase by $54billion per year by 2100. While that figure alone is significant,it does not encompass other extreme climate change relatedevents, and fails to account for uninsured losses and ecosys-tem damage resulting from major storm events.

Ms. Mendler de Suarez concluded the presentation with acall to mobilize the international community in endorsingconcerted action with sufficient financial commitments toprotect, restore and fully leverage the natural climate-regu-lating functions of the global ocean and its coastal zones inorder to secure the twin objectives of mitigating and adapt-ing to climate change. She emphasized that ocean andcoastal communities have significant potential to lead theway in deploying the ecosystem-based approaches that notonly form the most cost-effective and risk-reducing basis for

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South Africa Minister of Home Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

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equitable and sustainable development towards a low-car-bon future, but can also establish productive and resilientfoundations for food security, environmental security,health and livelihoods security, security from forced migra-tion and conflict potential.

Dr. Koko Warner, Executive Director, Munich Climate In-surance Initiative, discussed the insurance industryperspectives climate change related loss and damage to cli-mate change negotiation delegates, as well as to enableaction outside the UNFCCC process to build damage avoid-ance, management, and transfer of loss into new plans andpolicies. She noted that the loss and damage that results fromclimate change is becoming a growing challenge. As an in-surance expert, she emphasized that the sectoral tools andexpertise available including risk assessment, hazard map-ping, and data, can assist in making adaptation efforts moreeffective, as well as minimize the costs to governments. As aconcentrated source of risk management expertise, the sectorcan provide valuable experiences, lessons learned, and risk re-duction and transfer approaches. She offered supportthrough the SBI Work Program, which stands ready to shareexpertise and tools, and is committed to reducing loss anddamage. While it was noted that much is known about ex-treme weather events, there is a significant gap between thisknowledge and the worldwide effort to address the loss anddamage associated with these events.

Prior to Cancun, 100 of the world’s largest insurance compa-nies developed a joint statement on “Adaptation to ClimateChange in Developing Countries,” and committed them-selves to support adaptation efforts. Dr. Warner sought tocatalyze activities through the UNFCCC process to harness exante risk management tools to address weather related dam-age. She noted that, in the absence of a systematic effort,projects will continue to occur in a piecemeal manner, maynever be scaled effectively, and may suffer from lack of donorsupport. She also emphasized that the delegates need to ar-ticulate the questions and needs to the insurance sector sothat they can provide the right tools and support adaptationefforts. Effective sector participation will provide govern-ments with the certainty they desire to shelter vulnerablecommunities, save money, and protect key economic sectorsin the future. Dr. Warner called on governments to act on les-sons learned, to support the governments that needassistance from the international community to take steps to-wards ex ante risk management, to engage in risk reductionactivities, to enable the environment for risk management, toseek the best sources of information regarding risk reduction,management and transfer, and to invest in the systematiccollection and application of reliable risk exposure data. Inrelation to the UNFCCC process, she reinforced the call fromthe insurance industry to catalyze investment and imple-mentation programs to address weather-related climatedisasters, to design measures to avoid loss and damage, tomake risk reduction a criteria for participation in insurance

schemes, and to involve professional risk management pro-fessionals through the SBI Work Program.

Ms. Razeema Omar, Department of Environmental Affairs,Republic of South Africa, focused her presentation the poten-tial and need for consensus on climate adaptation. In Africa,climate change-related challenges facing the coastal zone in-clude migration towards the coasts, and in some cases, tovulnerable habitats and floodplains, the vulnerability tostorm surge and flooding as a result of more frequent extremeevents, loss of coastal infrastructure and services, reducedquality of life, and negative environmental impacts on thecoastal zone. In August 2011, a meeting of experts involvingclimate change issues was convened in Cape Town, with rep-resentatives from 9 African countries. The meeting resultedin consensus that regional and local action must continuallybe supported and built upon to improve and eventuallyachieve the desired resilience, as the impacts of climate

change are both immediate and long term. Five areas of ac-tion were identified that will require commitment andcollaboration, including: effective governance and legisla-tion, the centralization of adaptation, the assessment ofcoastal vulnerability around Africa, the implementation ofearly warning for oceans and coastal hazards, and the en-hancement of observing and reporting capabilities aroundthe African coast. Mr. Omar also reinforced the need to buildcapacity in an effort to strengthen advocacy, public aware-ness, and education. In the area of adaptation, it was notedthat local adaptation solutions are preferable, and that theadaptation deficit needs to be removed. In regard to oceanobserving and reporting, coastal stations, ships, buoys, andmeteorological stations have been deployed along the en-tirety of the African coast, and the information drawn fromthese sources must inform decision-making processes onocean and climate issues. To provide protection from marinehazards, early warning systems are required. The prototypesystem that has been developed in South Africa is to be uti-lized as a template for implementation in priority areas

Dr. Koko Warner, Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry, Dr. Razeena Omar, Ms. MaryBarton-Dock, Ms. Janot-Reine Mendler de Suarez, and Dr. Anthony Ribbink

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around the African coast. Finally, Mr. Omar addressed theneed for the national, regional, and global measures togetherto provide effective governance and legislation. This mustoccur in an African Framework for Climate Services.

Dr. Hendra Yusran Siry,Deputy Director for Technical Serv-ices Research Centre for Marine and FisheriesSocio-Economic, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, In-donesia described the Community and Disaster ReductionVillage (CDRV) program for Indonesia, which is geared to-wards strengthening the capacities of villages in Indonesiafor climate change adaptation and income generation. So farthis program for aiding village climate change adaptationand economic development has been implemented in 16 vil-lages and is slated to be replicated in 1,000 more.

Dr. Anthony Ribbink, Director, Sustainable Seas Trust, andChair, Steering Committee, South East African Climate Con-sortium, discussed the importance of engaging all members ofcivil society in understanding and addressing oceans and cli-mate issues, especially ocean users and the global youth. Dr.Ribbink invited four South African youths to present the SEApledge to the co-chairs of the Oceans Day at Durban, whichurged the members of the Global Ocean Forum and the lead-ers present at the UNFCCC COP 17 negotiations to action tosustain the seas and their life support processes and to declarean International Year of Oceans and Coasts (see Annex 3 ofthe Oceans Day at Durban Statement). As the ceremony pro-ceeded in Durban, all along the South African coast, betweenSodwana and Saldanha, many people turned out on thebeach despite poor weather to declare their support for SEAPledge and encourage governments and major internationalorganizations to commit to caring for the oceans and coasts.Children and adults, individuals and organizations, these sup-porters took part in activities that included beach cleanups,boat outings, scuba diving trips, braais, indoor functions suchas dinners, and some events that were even more out-of-the-box. In Hermanus, supporters gathered to build a giant"Handprint for Change" sand sculpture, while in Cape Town,Wavescape and Skeleton Sea painted a beautiful mural of acoelacanth. In Port Elizabeth, a penguin release drew a crowd,who watched with joy as the seven small birds waddled downthe sand to freedom. These events were calls for action by thegovernments at COP 17, but at the same time were reminders

that the natural environment that the conference is aiming toconserve is a wondrous and beautiful place.

Closing Session: Mobilizing for Action onOceans and Climate

Dr. Gustavo Fonseca, Head of Natural Resources at theGlobal Environment Facility (GEF), introduced the co-fi-nanced Program For Sustainable Management andBiodiversity Conservation in Areas Beyond National Jurisdic-tion (ABNJ), with partners including the FAO, UNEP,WorldBank, RFMO, NGOs and the private sector. He high-

lighted the fact that the program covers multiple GEF focalareas, including biodiversity and international waters, andwill be based on rights-based management and ecosystem ap-proaches. The goals of the program are to reduce illegal,unreported and unregulated fishing, as well as bycatch, re-duce of impacts on biodiversity, introduce sustainablemanagement practices for deep-sea fisheries, develop climateresilient management practices for vulnerable ecosystems,and to monitor tuna and deep-sea fish migration patterns.Mr. Fonseca briefly outlined existing GEF co-financing proj-ects around the world and in various sectors includingprotected area management, carbon accounting and ecosys-tem valuation of “blue” forests, sustainable development ofLMEs, fisheries management, and the Arctic Agenda. Each ofthese programs are supported by at least two or more partnersfalling in the following categories: UN organizations, IGOS,NGOs, governments, academia, and the private sector.

South African youth present the SEA Pledge

Minister Naledi Pandor delivering a special address during the Oceans Day reception.

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Ambassador Dr. Ben Ngubane, former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Provinc, former Minister of Science and Technology,and former Ambassador of South Africa to Japan, highlightedthe importance of the oceans to life on earth, especially as anarea of high biodiversity, an important contributor to recre-ation, tourism, and livelihood, and as a source ofirreplaceable ecosystem services. He pointed out that theocean drives climate and weather, and governs the oxygencycle, the water cycle, the nitrogen cycle and the carboncycle – all the cycles of life. As home to approximately 97% oflife in the world, water is critical to life. Dr. Ngubane notedthat although we know there is an incredible amount of bio-diversity in the seas, there is still much to understand anddiscover. Some of these organisms live in extreme and uniqueenvironments where it was once thought life could not sur-vive. In South Africa, 21 marine parks have been establishedto protect and restore this biodiversity.

The commercial and recreational fisheries were discussed notonly as an important source of protein, but also as a source ofenjoyment and a way to for people to connect with theoceans. It was emphasized that the proper way to addressoverfishing is not to cease fishing altogether, but rather tomanage the industry properly. In South Africa, the majorfishing companies have begun working with the govern-ment, non-profit, and business sector to effectively sustainthe resource. In particular, the chokka, or squid fishery, waspresented as a model in which bycatch has been reduced andspawning periods have been protected. Other recreationaluses discussed ranged from swimming, to sailing to beach re-

laxing. with emphasis on the value of living marine life andenvironment for ecotourism, rather than as products for con-sumption. These activities include shark diving, scuba divingon coral reefs, and a thriving whale and dolphin watchingsector, as well as a unique penguin colony. The profit and ed-ucational value that eco-tourism provides is innumerable. Aspeople become more aware of the value of the natural sys-tems, they have also started to tack action throughparticipation in programs such as beach cleanups, harborclean ups, recycling programs, and environmental educationprogrammes.

Mr. Ngubane concluded with the need for citizens to partici-pate in the protection and treatment of the oceans. The SEAPledge is guiding people down this path by encouragingeveryone to pledge their commitment to leading a sustain-able life and being conscious of their decisions, which haveglobal ramifications.

The ocean is the life support system for this planet. Most of the oxygen in the atmosphere is generated by thesea. If you like to breathe, then the ocean matters to you.

The ocean governs the oxygen cycle, the water cycle, the nitrogen cycle and the carbon cycle – all the cycles of life

We as humans are only now realizing the magnitude of ourability to alter nature. As never before, we owe the value ofintact natural systems to everything we care about.

South Africans and others around the world are becomingincreasingly dedicated to caring for the coasts. Perhaps now,as never again, we have a chance to act on this new knowl-edge to secure an enduring place for humankind within thenatural systems that keep us alive.

My attitude toward the oceans is one of hope and optimism.People are beginning to take steps in the right direction andtake responsibility for the oceans and the manner in whichthey are being treated.

We are not only leaving a legacy for our children and fortheir children, we are ensuring people around the world willhave access to this treasure.

Ambassador Dr. Ben Ngubane, Former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Province, Former Minister of Science and Technology, Former Ambassador of South Africa to Japan

Ms. Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology ofSouth Africa delivered a special address to Oceans Day at Dur-ban, touching on the role of science in ocean sustainability.She explained the need for reducing greenhouse gases andprotecting ecosystems and natural resources, but commentedthe current state of the marine environment is less sustain-able than previously thought, as indicated by the

Amb. Ben Ngubane

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Independent Panel on the State of our Oceans (IPSO). Citingthe contributions South Africa was making towards further-ing research on climate change and its biological effects,Minister Pandor urged more work be done regarding theoceans especially since approximately one in five Africans de-pends on fishing for his or her diet. She believes the passionof scientists, along with a supportive science system will yieldresearch that will increase the understanding of natural andhuman impacts beyond climate change, and gives her hopefor what lies ahead.

The promotion of science and technology for climate actionsin an integrated, coordinated and balanced manner withinthe proper context of sustainable development is vital. Oneof the most encouraging aspects I have encountered duringmy many visits to research institutions and projects is thepassion of scientists for making an impact – for making a difference.

Ms. Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology, South Africa

Minister Naledi Pandor

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Co-Chairs’ Statement emanating from

Oceans Day at Durban“Climate, Oceans, People”

at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

December 3, 2010, Durban, South Africa

International decision makers must understand the enormous role the oceans play in sustain-ing life on Earth. This role is increasingly under threat from human activity, with oceans andcoastal areas under growing stress from climate change and ocean acidification. People that depend on the oceans and coasts for food, protection and livelihoods are vulnerable and

especially at risk.

We call for:• Urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO2, and

• Efforts from international to local scales in adaptation, mitigation, research, capacity building and public outreach.

BACKGROUND

This Co-Chairs’ Statement emanating from Oceans Day atDurban addresses the need for urgent and concerted actionsemphasizing the central role of the oceans in climate and addressing the urgent issues faced by coastal and island com-munities living at the frontlines of climate change, includingsea level rise, coastal erosion, extreme weather events, andocean acidification, among others.

Oceans Day at Durban at the 17th Conference of the Partiesto the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change comesat a critical time in the lead-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (the Rio+20 Conference to be heldin Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 20-22, 2012), providing animportant opportunity to address ocean and climate issues inthe context of sustainable development goals.

OCEANS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and playa key role in many critical global processes. Oceans generateoxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and regulate climate and tem-perature and are essential to the health of the planet. Indeed,it can be said that oceans are the life support system of theplanet. Oceans directly support the livelihoods of hundredsof millions around the globe and ocean resources provide billions of people with a significant portion of their animalprotein and essential minerals.

Marine and coastal biodiversity provides many valuable serv-ices and products to people, including cancer-curingmedicines, genetic resources, nutrient cycling, and cultural

value, among others. Healthy oceans are inextricably linkedto the long-term management, development, and well-beingof coastal populations in more than 183 coastal and islandnations.

However, the role of oceans in climate regulation and theirability to continue to provide critical services are compro-mised by the impacts of climate change. As well, climatechange is predicted to have significant adverse impacts oncoastal and island communities and marine ecosystems,many of which are already being seen, including:

Sea-Level Rise

• There is now compelling scientific evidence that sea levelrise will be at least 1 meter by 2100 (higher than the 2007IPCC estimates), with the possibility of even higher levelsof sea level rise likely. Recent scientific evidence indicatessea level rise in some Indian Ocean islands is in the orderof 10 mm per year.

Extreme Weather Events

• The 2007 report of the IPCC, confirmed by the 2011 IPCCspecial report on climate extremes, concludes that it isvery likely that an increase in ocean temperatures will re-sult in increased frequency and intensity of extremeweather events, such as hurricanes. This can cause damagein excess of 20% of GDP in many small island developingStates (SIDS). When combined with sea-level rise, extremeevents can lead to severe impacts on coastal infrastructure,the spread of diseases, and the displacement of and loss oflife among coastal populations.

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Ocean Acidification, Ocean Warming, and Deoxygenation

• The oceans have increased in acidity by 30 per cent sincethe industrial revolution and are predicted to become evenmore acidic, undergoing a change in ocean chemistry notseen for 65 million years--this will rapidly increase as CO2emissions increase. Ocean acidification significantly hin-ders the ability of shell-forming organisms to constructtheir shells, grow, and reproduce. It can impact marinespecies distribution, notably fisheries, with negative impli-cations for food security. Acidification affects corals,shellfish, and more than 50% of the phytoplankton form-ing the foundation of marine food webs.

• Oceans have warmed by an average of 0.7oC in recentdecades, with warming of 3oC predicted by the end of thiscentury. Warming reduces nutrients near the ocean surfaceand reduces oxygen available to marine organisms. Theserapid changes in ocean chemistry are caused by the in-crease in greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbondioxide.

Impacts on Fisheries and Aquaculture • Climate change will affect the distribution and productiv-

ity of fish species, many of which are highly sensitive tochanges in ocean conditions, and will alter marine habi-tats and food webs; threatening the ability of fisheries andaquaculture systems to contribute to economies, food andnutrition security and livelihoods at the local, nationaland global levels. In addition, fisheries- and aquaculture-dependent economies, coastal communities and fisherfolkand fishfarmers are expected to experience the effects ofclimate change in a variety of ways including: displace-ment and migration of human populations; effects oncoastal communities and infrastructure due to sea levelrise; and increased losses due to changes in the frequency,distribution or intensity of tropical storms.

Impacts on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Developing Coastal Communities• SIDS remain particularly at risk to climate change impacts

due to their geographic isolation, small size, and often lowadaptive capacity. They will suffer disproportionately fromclimate change impacts, as many life-sustaining ecosys-tems in coastal and island areas, such as coral reefs, arehighly sensitive to climate change and may already be suf-fering irreversible damage. This has severe socioeconomicimplications in developing coastal countries and SIDS, af-fecting water resources, biodiversity and fisheries,agriculture, energy access, health, tourism, and infrastruc-ture. Sea-level rise threatens the very survival of manySIDS, as projections indicate some small islands could be-come completely inundated.

In summary, if left unaddressed, climate change will severelyimpact marine ecosystems and coastal communities in waysthat may be difficult or impossible to adapt. It is imperativethat climate change impacts on oceans and coasts be consid-ered both within and outside the UNFCCC, both for ourplanetary survival and human well-being.

NEEDED REPONSES

These impacts can be mitigated through concerted and urgentactions, supported by an improved understanding and recog-nition of the role of oceans and coasts in the climate systemand implemented through adaptation and mitigation definedat appropriate scales.

Adaptation

Ecosystem approaches to adaptation promoting, for exam-ple, the preservation and restoration of coastal ecosystemsand natural buffers, must be promoted and implemented, es-pecially through established integrated coastal and oceanmanagement (ICM) institutions, to increase the resilience ofcoastal and marine systems and mitigate adverse impacts ofclimate change on coastal and island populations. However,many areas lack the necessary capacity to implement ade-quate adaptation measures and disaster risk management,outlining the urgent need for technical and financial adapta-tion assistance for the world’s coastal areas. Moreover,decisions on appropriate adaptation measures need to bebased on adequate observations and monitoring, and prag-matic policy options for adaptive management that fullyrecognize and incorporate national and regional prioritiesand Millennium Development Goals such as food and nutri-tion security, education, health, and sustainable livelihoods.

As well, current adaptation cost estimates for coastal areas andsmall island states are woefully inadequate, as are the adapta-tion resources currently available. With over half of theworld’s population living in coastal regions and likely to ex-perience the most pronounced effects of climate change, atleast half of the funds made available for adaptation shouldtarget coastal and island populations. Similarly, attention andsupport should be focused on addressing the humanitarian is-sues associated with the displacement of populations indeveloping coastal countries and SIDS as a result of climatechange.

Mitigation

In addition to stringent emissions reductions, the role ofoceans and coasts in mitigating climate change must also besupported and strengthened. Oceans and coastal areas are amajor sink for carbon (known as “Blue Carbon”), which is re-leased when coastal ecosystems are destroyed, therebybecoming a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.There is a clear need for additional research on quantifyingcarbon stored and released by marine and coastal ecosystems,as discussed by the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientificand Technical Advice in Durban. As well, measures are

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needed to protect and restore marine ecosystems as majorcarbon sinks and move towards incorporating Blue Carboninto emissions reduction and climate mitigation strategiesand activities, including carbon markets.

The ocean is also being looked to as a viable source of renew-able energy, such as offshore wind power, aquatic biofuelsand hydrokinetic energy (e.g. wave power, tidal power). In-creased financial support and research as well as strongpolitical leadership is needed to improve the commercial via-bility and competitiveness of various types of ocean-basedrenewable energy as an important alternative to non-renew-able sources of energy that contribute to climate change.

Increasing energy efficiency in marine-based sectors, such asmarine transport, fisheries and aquaculture, will also be anecessary component of global mitigation strategies.

Science Supporting Policy-relevant Information

Research and observations are essential to improving ourknowledge and understanding of the climate-related stressorson the oceans and coasts (e.g., sea level rise, warming, acidi-fication), and how this will impact the provisioning ofecosystem services on which human communities rely. Sci-ence capacity needs to be rapidly expanded globally,particularly in vulnerable developing countries. In order tobetter understand the impacts on ecosystems and coastalcommunities, research will increasingly need to follow amulti-disciplinary approach across the physical, chemical, bi-ological, and socio-economic sciences, examining all humanimpacts on the ocean, and will require strong and effectiveglobal coordination for research, and a Global Ocean Observ-ing System that is fit for purpose. These studies need to bepolicy-relevant, with a meaningful exchange of knowledgebetween science and decision-makers. A strong scientificknowledge base relevant for policy and decision-making isfundamental to avoiding expensive mistakes.

Capacity Development and Public Outreach

Predicting and adapting to the impacts of climate change onoceans and coastal communities requires local and nationalcapacity, including financial, technical, and technological ca-pacity. The global community must mobilize resources tosupport the adaptive capacity of coastal and island commu-nities to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.Improved access to, and sharing of, scientific informationand best practices is also of central importance.

It is essential, as well, to support public outreach and educa-tion programs, including for youth (see Annex 1), to improveawareness and encourage people to reflect on sustainablemodes of living; to improve awareness of the risks posed tocoastal communities; and to catalyze support for mitigationand adaptation responses.

Community Engagement

Coastal and island communities, which are most vulnerableto the impacts of climate change, need to be involved directlyin the monitoring, decision-making and adaptive manage-ment activities through a process of awareness-raising, thecapture of indigenous knowledge and through a closer andmore sustained involvement in national management deci-sions that react effectively and pragmatically to climatevariability and change and to predictable alterations inecosystem services.

OCEANS DAY AT DURBAN

The Oceans Day in Durban, which was co-organized by theGlobal Ocean Forum, the Department of Environmental Af-fairs of the Government of South Africa, the GlobalEnvironment Facility (GEF), the UN Development Pro-gramme (UNDP), the Intergovernmental OceanographicCommission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), the University ofDelaware, the New Partnership for Africa's Development(NEPAD), the Global Partnership on Climate, Fisheries andAquaculture (PaCFA), the Agulhas and Somali Current LargeMarine Ecosystems (ASCLME) Project, the Benguela CurrentCommission (BCC), the Guinea Current Large MarineEcosystem (GCLME) Project, the Canary Current Large Ma-rine Ecosystem (CCLME) Project, the Food and AgricultureOrganization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Mete-orological Organization (WMO), Plymouth MarineLaboratory, the World Ocean Network, the Organizing Com-mittee for EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea, the City of Yeosu,Republic of Korea, and the Korea Ocean Research and Devel-opment Institute, and held on the margins of the 17thConference of the Parties to the UN Framework Conventionon Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 17), gathered over 170leaders from all sectors of the global oceans community tohighlight the direct link between climate change, the healthof the oceans, and human well-being, as well as the need forsufficient funding to support bold mitigation and adaptationmeasures that will minimize climate change impacts oncoastal communities and ocean ecosystems and resources.

This was the third Oceans Day to be held in the context of aUNFCCC COP, following Oceans Day at Copenhagen, heldat UNFCCC COP 15 (http://www.oceansday.org/c-index.html), and Oceans Day at Cancun, held at UNFCCCCOP 16 (http://www.oceansday.org/).

UNFCCC COP 17 comes at an important time in the lead-upto the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20Conference), providing an important opportunity to outlinenew targets, goals, and timetables for oceans and coastal is-sues, including in the context of climate change.

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PRIORITY ACTIONS AT UNFCCC COP 17 AND BEYOND

International decision makers must understand the enor-mous role the ocean plays in sustaining life on Earth. Thisrole is increasingly under threat from human activity, withocean and coastal regions under growing stress from climatechange and ocean acidification. People that depend on theocean and coasts for food, protection and livelihoods are vul-nerable and especially at risk.

There is a clear need for:

• Urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, espe-cially CO2, and

• Efforts from international to local scales in adaptation,mitigation, research, capacity building and public out-reach.

The global oceans community calls attention to the need todevelop an integrated strategy for oceans and coasts withinand beyond the UNFCCC.

The following actions are recommended:

1.Enact stringent and immediate reductions in CO2 emissions

• Adopt stringent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,within a short timeframe, to avoid disastrous conse-quences on oceans and coastal communities around theworld and to ensure the continuing functioning of theoceans in sustaining life on Earth; and

• Centrally incorporate issues related to oceans and climateinto the discussions of the UNFCCC on emissions reduc-tions.

2.Deepen understanding and policy approaches to support “Blue Carbon”

• Natural carbon sinks in coastal areas (e.g., mangroves, sea-grass beds, kelp forests, tidal marshes), which have a greatercapacity (per unit of area) than terrestrial carbon sinks inachieving long-term carbon sequestration in sediments,have not yet been fully considered in the UNFCCC context;

• Support additional research on quantifying the amountsof carbon stored and released by various marine andcoastal ecosystems;

• Reduce the destruction and degradation of marine andcoastal ecosystems to preserve their carbon storage capa-bilities; and

• Include coastal Blue Carbon activities such as the conser-vation, restoration and sustainable use of coastalecosystems such as mangroves, tidal salt marshes and seagrasses into relevant UNFCCC mechanisms and activitiessuch as REDD+ and nationally appropriate mitigation ac-tions (NAMAs).

3.Accelerate progress on mitigation approaches using oceans and coasts

• Focus further resources into the development of ocean-based renewable energy (such as offshore wind power, waveenergy, tidal power, and aquatic biofuels); and accelerate ef-forts to implement these approaches through marinespatial planning and enhanced regulatory frameworks;

• Accelerate efforts by the IMO and others to reduce emissions from ships and fishing vessels;

• Consider, and, if appropriate, develop regulatory systemsfor carbon capture and storage via injection in deepseabed geological formations; and

• Discourage other geo-engineering approaches, such asiron fertilization, CO2 injection in water column due tounknown and potentially adverse ecological impacts.

4.Undertake climate change adaptation in vulnerable coastal areas

• Encourage and implement ecosystem approaches to adap-tation, including marine protected areas, throughintegrated coastal and ocean management institutions atnational, regional, and local levels to build the prepared-ness, resilience, and adaptive capacities of coastalcommunities;

• Provide sufficient funding to support adaptation forcoastal and island communities that are at the frontline ofclimate change in 183 coastal countries, considering thecreation of a special Coastal Adaptation Fund or directinga significant portion of the current Adaptation Funds toCoastal issues; and

• Develop and support policy measures to address the issuesassociated with the displacement of coastal populations asa result of climate change.

5.Build the capacity of coastal and island areasto predict, understand, and respond to therisks posed by climate change

• Provide technical assistance to SIDS and developing coun-tries to build institutional capacity to implementadaptation measures, early warning systems, and disasterrisk reduction;

• Improve awareness and understanding among policymak-ers of the importance of oceans and climate issues and theneed to take bold policy measures to avoid disastrous im-pacts on the world’s coastal and island communities;

• Establish the scientific capacity in all countries for marineenvironment and climate variability assessment, monitor-ing, and prediction; and

• Expand public outreach and education efforts to improveawareness of the risks posed to coastal communities and tocatalyze support for mitigation and adaptation responses.

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Work with coastal countries to raise awareness about the implications of climatechange impacts on ocean and coastal areas

• Call for recognition in the UNFCCC negotiating text ofthe important role played by oceans in climate--generat-ing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, and regulatingclimate and temperature;

• Mobilize broad-based support for the oceans and climateagenda within the UNFCCC process and in the Rio+20process leading up to the UN Conference on SustainableDevelopment in June 2012 in Brazil;

• Work towards the creation of an integrated oceans and cli-mate strategy within and beyond the UNFCCC;

• Support the possible creation of a caucus of coastal coun-tries within the UNFCCC; and

• Request the UNFCCC Secretariat to designate a focal pointon oceans.

Furthermore, the African Large Marine Ecosystem (LME)Caucus expresses some specific concerns relating to the sig-nificant and impending impacts on SIDS and developingcoastal states involved in the African LMEs, which have beencaptured in Annex 2.

Finally, the network of African fisheries and aquaculture pro-posed the Durban Declaration on Climate Change andAfrican Fisheries, presented in Annex 3, which draws atten-tion to the vulnerability of the sector to climate change andfurther calls on governments to incorporate fisheries andaquaculture in African national and regional adaptationplans, as well as to mainstream climate change in fisheriespolicies, development and management programmesthrough highlighting the role of fisheries and aquaculture insupporting food security in Africa, increasing resilience of theaquatic systems, increasing scientific knowledge and pursuinga people-centered and gender-sensitive approach to climatechange adaptation in fisheries that incorporates and supportslocal adaptation strategies and indigenous knowledge.

For further information contact:

Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, President Global Ocean Forum Telephone: +1-302-831-8086 Email: bcs@udel.edu Website: www.globaloceans.org

On behalf of Oceans Day at Durban Co-Chairs:

Deputy Minister Mrs. Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Ministry ofWater and Environmental Affairs, South Africa, Dr. WendyWatson-Wright, Executive Secretary, IntergovernmentalOceanographic Commission of UNESCO, and Dr. BilianaCicin-Sain, President Global Ocean Forum. This Statement isthe responsibility of the Co-Chairs of the Oceans Day at Durban.

_______________________________________________________

Annex 1: SEA Pledge Resolution to theGlobal Ocean Forum

We, the children of the last generation that has the time to re-verse climate change trends and sustain our beautiful seas,together with many others around the world who supportthe SEA Pledge crusade1, petition the Global Ocean Forum totake action to sustain the seas and their life support processes.

We ask the Global Ocean Forum to call upon the United Na-tions to declare an International Year of Oceans and Coasts.

We urge the members of the Global Ocean Forum, the WorldOcean Network, all of the distinguished participants ofOceans Day at Durban and all governments assembled atCOP 17, especially the government of South Africa, to sup-port the SEA pledge with a view to assisting impoverishedcoastal communities, particularly those in Africa.

_______________________________________________________

Annex 2: Contribution by the AfricanLarge Marine Ecosystem (LME) Caucus tothe Statement on Oceans Day at Durban

Recognizing the extreme vulnerability of the African coun-tries to the rapid impact of climate change on ecosystemservices and consequent community livelihoods, food secu-rity, clean water sources, etc. and further recognizing theintimate relationship between oceans and climate and thefeedback effects of changes between one and the other.

Drawing attention to the urgent need for cooperative part-nerships that can successfully sustain long-term,comprehensive monitoring and observations in the AfricanLMEs related to ecosystem variability and the changes thatare happening as a result of climate variability and ex-tremes;hese monitoring programmes need to embracesocioeconomic implications of an altering environment interms of climate change and ecosystem services.

Noting that, for the results and outputs of these monitoringand observation programmes to be of value, there needs to bean evolution of mechanisms that can translate scientific re-sults into reliable predictions and peer-reviewed trends thatcan steer and drive appropriate adaptive management ac-tions (supported by firm policy commitments) at theregional, national and community level throughout theAfrican countries.

The African LME Caucus calls on all willing and able partnerswithin the scientific, NGO, IGO, global funding agencies andprivate/commercial sectors and communities to work closelywith them to achieve these aims through long-term partner-ship commitments. Such alliances should aim to sustainecosystem and climate change observations and monitoringand deliver the outputs as realistic and pragmatic manage-ment actions and policy reforms for the greater well-being ofthe countries and their vulnerable communities within the

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concepts of the ecosystem approach and the aims of the Mil-lennium Development Goals.

_______________________________________________________

Annex 3: Durban Declaration on ClimateChange and African Fisheries

The New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)Agency and the Global Partnership on Climate, Fisheries andAquaculture (PaCFA) have developed, on behalf of Africanfisheries and aquaculture, the Durban Declaration on Cli-mate Change and African Fisheries and Aquaculture in orderto highlight the importance of the sector in Africa’s responseto the challenges posed by climate change.

• Recognizing that fisheries and aquaculture play a crucialrole in supporting economic activity and contributing tofood and nutrition security in many African states;

• Recognizing that African states are particularly vulnerableto climate change impacts on fisheries due to a high levelof sensitivity to climate change and low levels of adaptivecapacity;

• Recognizing that, in addition to climate change, Africanfisheries face numerous threats including overfishing, ille-gal fishing, pollution and habitat destruction;

We, the stakeholders:

• Recommend that fisheries and aquaculture are incorpo-rated in African national adaptation plans, as well asclimate adaptation strategies on the regional and conti-nental level.

• Support the call made by the 2010 Conference of AfricanMinisters of Fisheries and Aquaculture for member states,regional economic bodies (RECs) and regional fisheriesbodies (RFBs) to mainstream climate change in disasterrisk management, fisheries policies, development andmanagement programmes.

• Urge African states, RECs and RFBs to support fisheriesadaptation by accessing funding mechanisms aimed at cli-mate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, andsupporting food security, and to ensure that fisheries holdsa stronger position in national policies and developmentgoals.

• Urge African policy makers to highlight the role of fish-eries in supporting food and nutrition security in Africa,particularly in the context of climate change threats tofood security on the continent.

• Recommend that African states, RECs and RFBs increasethe resilience of African fisheries to climate change im-pacts by addressing overfishing, illegal fishing, pollutionand habitat destruction, and by reducing vulnerabilityand improving livelihood opportunities.

• Recommend increased scientific and economic study of climate change impacts, mitigation and adaption inAfrican fisheries as well as enhanced knowledge sharingefforts between African states, RECs and RFBs.

• Recommend a people-centered and gender-sensitive approach to climate change adaptation in fisheries that incorporates and supports local adaptation strategies andindigenous knowledge.

• Recommend the need to implement the ecosystem approaches to fisheries and aquaculture as an adaptationstrategy that aims to increase the resilience of vulnerableaquatic ecosystems and their dependent communities andthat provides shoreline protection, food and nuturition se-curity, maintenance of water quality, income andlivelihoods services.

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About the Global Ocean Forum The Global Ocean Forumwas first mobilized in 2001 tohelp the world’s governments highlight issues related tooceans, coasts, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

on the agenda of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Develop-ment (WSSD), and was later formalized at the WSSD inJohannesburg. The Global Forum is a response to perceived needs:

• for fostering cross-sectoral dialogue on ocean issues among gov-ernments, NGOs, international organizations, and the privateand scientific sectors

• for constant advocacy for oceans at the highest political levels

• for taking an ecosystem-based and integrated approach to oceansgovernance at national, regional, and global levels

Since 2001, the Global Forum has involved ocean experts repre-senting all sectors from 105 countries to advance the global oceansagenda by: 1) promoting the implementation of internationalagreements related to oceans, coasts, and SIDS, especially the goalsemanating from the 2002 WSSD; 2) analyzing new emerging issuessuch as improving the governance regime for ocean areas beyondnational jurisdiction and addressing the impacts of climate change;and 3) promoting international consensus-building on unresolvedocean issues.

The Global Oceans Conferences provide the major opportunity forall sectors of the global oceans community-- governments, interna-tional agencies, nongovernmental organizations, industry, andscientific groups-- to address the major policy issues affecting theoceans at global, regional, and national levels and to make progressin advancing the global oceans agenda.

The Global Forum has organized five Global Conferences (in 2001,2003, 2006, and 2010 at UNESCO in Paris and in 2008 in Hanoi,Vietnam); co-organized the Global Ocean Policy Day with the Gov-ernment of Indonesia during the World Ocean Conference 2009;organized the Oceans Day at Copenhagen during the UNFCCC cli-mate negotiations in December 2009; organized the Ocean PolicySummit in Lisbon in 2005 documenting experiences with inte-grated oceans governance in countries and regions around theworld; prepared a number of “report cards” on the implementationof the WSSD ocean targets and of the 1994 Barbados Programme ofAction for SIDS; reports on ocean issues in island states; reports oncapacity development needs on ocean and coastal management indifferent world regions; and provided a series of Internet informa-tion services, including periodic newsletters.

The Global Ocean Forum has played an active role in the prepara-tory process for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development(Rio+20 Conference) to be held on June 20-22, 2012, working tohighlight the importance of oceans and coasts in sustainable devel-opment through policy analyses and multi-stakeholder dialogues.The Global Ocean Forum, in collaboration with many partners, hasdrafted a report on “Oceans at Rio+20,” which tracks progress onmajor ocean-related goals and commitments of UNCED and WSSDand puts forth recommendations for the Rio+20 process (Summaryfor Decision Makers available at: http://www.globaloceans.org/sites/udel.edu.globaloceans/files/Rio20SummaryReport.pdf).The Global Ocean Forum is also organizing, in collaboration withpartners from around the world, a high-level ocean event to be heldat the Rio+20 Conference which will draw high-level political at-tention to the importance of achieving a strong ocean outcomefrom the Rio+20 Conference.

For more information, please visit: www.globaloceans.org

Contact Information:

For additional information on Oceans Day please contact:

Dr. Biliana Cicin-SainPresident, Global Ocean Forum

Director, Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy301 Robinson Hall

University of DelawareNewark, Delaware 19716 USA

Tel: +1-302-831-8086Fax: +1-302-831-3668E-mail: bcs@udel.edu

Internet: http://www.globaloceans.org

Mr. Ashley Naidoo,Directorate, Oceans Conservation Strategies

Department of Environmental Affairs, South AfricaTel: +2721 819 2422Fax: +2721 819 2444

Email: anaidoo@environment.gov.za

• Global Ocean Forum

• Department of Environmental Affairs of the Government of South Africa

• Global Environment Facility (GEF)

• UN Development Programme (UNDP)

• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO)

• University of Delaware

• New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)

• Global Partnership Climate, Fisheries and Aquaculture (PaCFA)

• Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems (ASCLME) Project

• Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) Programme

• Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME) Project

• Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME) Project

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

• World Meteorological Organization

• Plymouth Marine Laboratory

• World Ocean Network

• The Organizing Committee for EXPO 2012 Yeosu Korea

• City of Yeosu, Republic of Korea

• Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute

Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Ocean Forum

Acknowledgements

On behalf of the Global Ocean Forum, I would like to

acknowledge, with sincere thanks and appreciation,

the invaluable contributions of the following collaborators

in the organization of Oceans Day at Durban;