theme 3: “help to reduce human threats to coral reefs and … · 2017-12-01 · initiative...

Initiative Internationale pour les Récifs Coralliens International Coral Reef Initiative www.icriforum.org

Theme3:“Helptoreducehumanthreatstocoralreefsandassociatedmangrovesandseagrasses,bymakinggreateruseofregulatorytools”

The ICRI member’s report outlines the activities of ICRI members; their progress andcontributionstowardstheICRIPlanofAction2016-18.Thecontributionsdetailedbelowaretaken fromwritten responsesbyBrazil; Japan; Indonesia;Malaysia;Maldives;Monaco;UK;andtheUSA.ThememberreportalsoincludesresponsesfromtheCentralCaribbeanMarineInstitute;CoastalOceansResearchandDevelopmentintheIndianOcean;FondationpourlaProtectiondelaBiodiversitéMarine;GreatBarrierReefFoundation;InternationalSocietyforCoral Reef Studies; Reef-world Foundation; Science and Conservation of Fish Aggregations;TheNatureConservancy;UNEPCaribbeanEnvironmentProgram;andtheUNEnvironmentWorldConservationMonitoringCentre(asofDecember1st,2017).Formoreinformation,youcancheckdirectlythememberreport.To address theme three, ICRI members were asked to outline legal frameworks that arecurrentlyinplaceinordertoprotectcoralreefsandrelatedecosystemsandhowthisisbeingmeasured. Members were asked how they are enforcing the regulations that preventdredging. ICRI members also outlined the ways in which they are promoting the use ofmooringdevices,marine-friendly suncream,and the reductionof theuseofmicrobeads, toprevent coral reef and seagrass degradation and pollution. Contributions to theme threeincluded laws, legislation, and policy improvements that protect coral reefs and relateecosystems.Contributionsalsodiscuss thekeyroleofMPAs inenforcingregulations.Brazil,Japan, Maldives, the UK and the USA have all banned, or are in the process of banningmicrobeadmanufacturing.

Ø Goal 3-1: promote legal frameworks for the protection of coral reefs andassociated mangroves and seagrasses, with quantified targets and effectiveenforcementtoprotecttheseecosystems

BrazilCurrently, only 1.57% of Brazil’s seaboard territory is under the Marine and CoastalProtection Areas Network (MCPA), instituted by the Federal Government in 2000. TheMarineandCoastalProtectedAreasProject(GEFMar),describedabove,willtakeplacetoexpand the existing MCPA until 2019/2020 and also to promote its long term financialsustainability by developing innovative financing mechanisms. Joint efforts have beenmade within the scope of the GEF-Mar, mainly in 2016 and 2017. This is a greatopportunityforBraziltoachievepartoftheinternationalgoalsofconservationofmarineecosystems and biodiversity. An example of ongoing action is the contracting ofconsultancies by FUNBIO to compile and gather information necessary to support the


process of expansion of the Abrolhos National Marine Park, and creation andimplementationofAmazonasRiverMouthProtectedArea,FozdoRioDoceProtectedAreaandVitoriaTrindadeChainProtectedArea.Besides GEF Mar, Brazil implemented a National Plan of Action for conservation ofecosystems,coralreefsandmangroves.National Action Plan for Coral Environments Conservation (PAN Corais) includes andestablishespriorityconservationstrategiesfor52speciesoffishandaquaticinvertebratesconsidered to be endangered, listed in the National List of Endangered Species.Simultaneously, it establishesstrategies for theconservationof11otherspecies thatareknowntobenefitfromthemaintenanceofthelatter.ThishasavalidityperiodthatendsinFebruary 2021.PAN Coral will be implemented in 18 focus areas located along theBrazilian coast, from theStateofMaranhão toSantaCatarina, includingareaswithin theExclusiveEconomicZone,inadditiontoitsterritorialsea.10specificobjectivesweredefined:

1. To promote the integrity and maintenance of habitats, ecosystem services andpopulationsoftargetandbenefitedspecies.

2. To contribute to themanagement andmonitoring of fishing activity in coral reefenvironments.

3. Touseecosystem-basedapproachestopromotethesustainableexploitationoffishstocks.

4. To enhance the general knowledge about coral reef environments that are stillpoorlyinvestigated.

5. To minimize activities and enterprises that directly or indirectly affect corallineenvironments.

6. Tocontributetotheorganizationoftourismactivityincoralenvironmentsinordertominimizeitsimpact,consideringthelocalsocioeconomicsituation.

7. Toprevent the introduction and spreadingof invasive exotic species in coral reefenvironments,andtoevaluateandmitigateimpactsinalreadyaffectedregions.

8. To evaluate and minimize chemical, physical, organic and biological pollution incoralenvironments.

9. Topromotetherevision,integration,innovationandeffectivenessofcurrentpublicpolicies.Thiswill consider the sustainabilityperspectiveof coral environments inthe social, environmental and economic contexts; broadening and strengtheningparticipatorymechanismsandsocialcontrolinthemanagementofterritories.

10. Toevaluateandhighlighttheroleofenvironmentalservicesofcoralreefsinclimatechange related issues and its impacts, as well as to develop strategies for the


successfulmitigationandadaptationoftheseenvironmentsbasedonthebuildingofspecific scenarios.Thepreviousobjectives comprehend146actionsandoveronehundredorganizersandcontributorsofvariousinstitutions.

PeriodicAssessmentTheactionplanwillbeevaluatedannuallytoreviewandadjusttheimplementedmeasures.In addition, amid-term evaluation is expected to be administered half-way through theproject’scycle.Afinalassessmentwillbeadministeredattheendofthemanagementcycle.TheNationalActionPlanfortheConservationofThreatenedandEconomically-ImportantSpecies of the Mangrove Ecosystem (PAN Manguezal) is aimed at conserving Brazilianmangroves, reducingdegradation, andprotecting the focal speciesof theNationalActionPlan.Thisinsuresalevelofmaintenanceofareasandpreservationoftheirtraditionaluses;incorporatingtraditionalandacademicknowledge.PANManguezalismadeupofelevenspecificobjectives,eachwithitsownactions,being:

1. Contribute to the effectives of territorial planning in areas of mangrove andassociatedecosystems(landholdingregularization/territorialplanning).

2. Contribute to the strengthening of social participation and integration betweengovernment agencies by means of public policies on strategic areas of the PANManguezal.

3. Alignthelegislationinaccordancewithregionalspecificitiesfortheimplementationof fisheries and aquaculture management at the areas of the PAN, taking intoconsiderationtheparticipationoftraditionalpeopleandcommunities.

4. Reduce impacts resulting from different types of pollution and from theintroductionofexoticspeciesinmangrovesandassociatedecosystems.

5. Reducehabitatlossandexpandmangroveandassociatedecosystem’srecoveryandconservationareas.

6. Reduce risks of environmental accidents and mitigate their socio-environmentalimpacts in activities that directly or indirectly affect mangrove and associatedecosystems.

7. Strengthenthesupervisionandmonitoringoflicensedenterpriseswithpotentialfornegativeimpacts,aswellasmangroveandadjacentareas.

8. Inhibit the implantation and expansion of economic enterprises that result innegativeimpactsforthemangroveecosystem.

9. Contribute to the eradication of shrimp farms and salt evaporation ponds’enterprisesattheintertidalzone,andtotherecoveryofecosystemsalreadyaffectedbythesepractices.

10. TrainsocialagentsandmanagersinvolvedinthePANManguezal.


11. ElaboratecommunicationstrategyforthePANManguezal.Project“MangrovesofBrazil”Half ofmangrove’s area is concentrated on theNorth region of the country and 87%ofmangroves are located inside federal, state or municipal Protected Areas. The projectMangrovesofBrazilwasconceivedbytheMinistryfortheEnvironment,withtheobjectiveofimprovingBrazil’scapacityinpromotingtheeffectiveconservationandsustainableuseof resources in mangroves, based on the strengthening of the National System ofConservation Units, and on the designation of permanent preservation areas for allBrazilianmangroves.TheprojectisexecutedbytheChicoMendesInstituteforBiodiversityConservationwhich,inordertoreachthisgoal,aimstocreateamanagementstrategyforprotectedareas.Thisstrategywill focus on the effective conservation of a representative sample of Brazilianmangroves, acting mainly on existing shortcomings that compromise managementeffectiveness; hereby promoting the conservation and sustainable use of mangroveecosystems, and the environmental services and functions necessary for nationaldevelopmentandthewell-beingofcoastalcommunities.It isexpectedthattheactionswillassistontheconservationof568.000haofmangrovesthat hold global relevance, as well as generating positive impacts on the livelihoods ofcommunitieswhich depend on this ecosystem. The projectwill enable the replication oflessons learned toallBrazilianmangroves.This initiativehasalsonaturally alignedwiththeSustainableDevelopmentGoalsofthe2030Agenda,especiallywithGoal14,“Conserveand sustainablyuse theoceans, seas andmarine resources”.The initiative, supportedbyresources of the Global Environment Fund (GEF), aims at developing actions for theeffective management and conservation of mangrove areas, acting along the Braziliancoastline.In2000,BrazilcreatedtheNationalSystemofConservationUnits(SNUC)(Law9,985,July18,2000)gatheringallexistinginstrumentsandregulations,constitutingaframeworkforthecreation, implementation,consolidationandmanagementofprotectedareas.In2006,Brazil established the National Strategic Plan for Protected Areas (PNAP) with thecommitment to consolidate a comprehensive, ecologically representative and effectivelymanagedprotected area system integratedwith broader land andmarine landscapes by2015. The PNAP attends the deliberations of the World Summit for SustainableDevelopment, Strategic Plan of Convention on Biological Diversity and NationalEnvironmentalConferences.Inthiscontext,theMarineandCoastalProtectedAreasProject(GEFMar)startedin2014with the main objective to support the creation, enlargement and implementation of arepresentative and effective system of marine and coastal protected areas to reducebiodiversityloss.GEFMarisfinancedbytheGlobalEnvironmentalFundwith$18.2million


approvedbytheWorldBank.Thegoalofprojectistoincreasethemarineprotectedareafrom1.57 to5%, totaling175,000km2,mostof thispercentagemust includecoral reefsand associated ecosystem. Brazil is strongly committed to creating at least 10% of newMPAs, includingareaswithcoral reefssuchasSãoPedroandSãoPauloArchipelagoandthesubmergedreefsat themouthof theAmazonRiverrecentlymapped.Several studiesareinprogresstoelaboratetheprocessesofcreationofnewMPAs.BrazilissignatoryoffiveinternationalMPAsconventions

- ConventiononBiologicalDiversity2010- UnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea- RamsarConventiononWetlandsofInternationalImportance- InternationalCoralReefInitiative- TheWorldHeritageConvention.

In addition, Brazil ismember of TheRegional Seas Conventions. Therefore, the effectivecreation of Marine Protected Areas is a commitment assumed by Brazil. Brazil has alsointernalizedtheAichiBiodiversityTargetsbyResolutionCONABIO(NationalBiodiversityCommission)n.06,September3,2013.Under the Brazilian Forest Code, mangroves, including hypersaline tidal flats wereconsideredpermanentpreservationzones.However,in2012thenationalcongressvotedareformof the forestcode(Lawn.12.651,May25,2012)andhypersaline tidal flatswereexcluded from protection against land development and maritime culture, in particularshrimpfarming,withsomesafeconductprovidedintheLawn.12.727,October17,2012,as toprotectadjacentmangroves,amongotherrequirements.AMinistryofEnvironmentNormative Instruction n. 03, April 16, 2008 does not allow shrimp farm in mangroveswithinProtectedAreas.Environmental crimes law (n. 9.605, February 12, 1998) provides fines and detentionpenalties for activities harmful to the environment, including corals (casting vessels orthrowingdebrisofanykindonbanksofmollusksorcorals,dulymarkedinnauticalchart)and mangroves (Destroying or damaging native or planted forests or dune-fixingvegetation,whichprotectsmangroves,whichistheobjectofspecialpreservation).IndonesiaRegulationofMinisterofEconomicCoordinatorNumber4Year2017


RegulationofMinisterofEconomicCoordinatorNumber4Year2017onPolicy,Strategy,Program and Performance Indicator of National Mangrove Ecosystem Management is amandate fromPresidentialRegulationNumber73year2012on theNational StrategyofMangroveEcosystemManagement.Thisregulationisaguidelinefortherelatedpartiesinorder tomanagemangrove ecosystemwhich consist of ecology side, socioeconomic andinstitutionaltoguaranteefunctionandthebenefitofmangroveforthecommunitywelfare.In order to accelerate the implementation of this regulation each related party mustestablishactivitybasedonitsresponsibilitysuchasrehabilitation,protectionofmangroveecosystemwhichiscoveringthelocation,target(quantitative),time,andbudget.Lawsassociated:

- Law Number 5 Year 1990 Concerning the Conservation of the Living NaturalResourcesanditsEcosystem;

- LawNumber41Year1999ConcerningtheForestry;- LawNumber32ConcerningProtectionandEnvironmentManagement;- LawNumber45Year2009ConcerningAmendmenttoLawNumber31Year2004

aboutFisheries;- LawNumber27Year2007ConcerningtheManagementofCoastalAreasandSmall

Islands;- GovernmentRegulationNumber28Year2011ConcerningManagementof Nature

ReserveAreaandNaturalConservationArea;- Presidential Regulation Number 73 Year 2012 Concerning National Strategy of

MangroveEcosystemManagement;- PresidentialDecisionNumber48Year1991ConcerningEndorsementonConvention

onWetlandsofInternationalImportanceEspecialllyasWaterfowlHabitat;- DecreeoftheMinisterofMarineAffairsandFisheriesNumber:Kep.38/Men/2004

AbouttheGeneralGuidelinesofCoralReefManagement;- Regulation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of

IndonesiaNumberPer.17/Men/2008AboutConservationAreainCoastalAreasandSmallIslands.

QuantifiedTargetsBased on Act No. 5 year 1990 Concerning Law of The Republic Of Indonesia OnConservationOfTheLivingNaturalResourcesAndItsEcosystem,conservationofthelivingnatural resourcesand itsecosystem isbasedonpreservationofabilityandusefulnessofthelivingnaturalresourcesinitsecosysteminharmoniousandwell-balancedmanners.


Japan

As reported, Japan formulated the Japan’s National Coral Reef Ecosystem ConservationActionPlanfor2016-2020.Thisplanisnota legalframework,thoughitmentionsnaturerestorationprojects andprojects for child-nature friendship innational parks.There arelegal frameworks relating tonature restoration andnational parks in Japan (e.g.NaturalParks Act), and hence such laws are relevant to nature conservation, including theprotectionofcoralreefsandmangroves.MPAisdefinedinJapan’s“MarineBiodiversityConservationStrategy”asfollows;“Marineareas designated andmanaged by law or other effectivemeans, in consideration of usemodalities, aimed at the conservation of marine biodiversity supporting the soundstructureand functionofmarineecosystemsandensuring the sustainableuseofmarineecosystemservices.”MalaysiaMarine protected areas in Malaysia are designate through various legislations. MarineProtected Areas in Malaysia generally are composed of Marine Parks and FisheriesProhibitedAreas.Thehistoryof theestablishmentofMPAs inMalaysiadatesbacktothe1970s. ForMarine Parks and Fisheries Prohibited Areas in the PeninsularMalaysia andFederal Territory of Labuan, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry has thejurisdictiontoestablishnewmarineparksofwhichtheseparksaremanagebyMinistryofNatural Resources and Environment through Department of Marine Park Malaysia. ForSabahandSarawak,MPAsareestablishedandmanagedbytheStateGovernments–SabahParks and Sabah Wildlife Department, for the State of Sabah and Sarawak ForestryDepartment for the stateof Sarawak. InSabah,marineareasareprotectedvia theParksEnactment 1984 andWildlife ConservationEnactment 1997. In Sarawak, two State levellegislationareused for theestablishmentandmanagementofMPAsnamely theNationalParksandNatureReservesOrdinance1998andtheWildlifeProtectionOrdinance1998.InPeninsularMalaysia,marineparksarecreatedbywayofgazzetmentunder theFisheriesActof1985.TheFisheriesAct1985containsonlyoneoutof11Partswhichisrelevanttomarineparks.Section43oftheActcontainsprohibitedactivitieswithinmarineparks.Malaysia has set a quantifiable target to protect their marine ecosystem in Malaysia’sNationalPolicyonBiologicalDiversity. It is definedunderGoal3,Target6of thePolicy.Malaysia aims to conserve 10% of their coastal and marine areas by 2025 through arepresentative system of protected areas and other effective area based conservationmeasures.Currently,3.48%ofMalaysia’sExclusiveEconomicZone(EEZ)aregazettedasMPAs.Currently,onlyareasdesignatedandgazettedthroughlegislationsarerecognizeasanMPAs.However,theMinistryisconsideringtowidenthedefinitionofprotectedareas.


This is to include areas which are managed by local communities whereby there areconservationprogrammesandcommunitiespracticesustainableconsumption.Thisstudyis carried out through a GEF funded Project on Enhancing effectiveness and financialsustainabilityofProtectedAreasinMalaysia.TheRepublicofMaldives

NationalBiodiversityStrategyandActionPlan2016–2025.TheNational targets for 2025 are to protect 10%of coral reefs, 20%ofmangroves andwetland,onesandbankandoneuninhabitedislandundertheEnvironmentAct.UnitedStatesofAmerica(USA)

Please find attached a list of U.S. federal, state, and territorial laws and regulations thatgovernactivitiesinandaroundcoralreefecosystems.QuantifiedtargetsTheMicronesiaChallengeAcommitmentbytheFederatedStatesofMicronesia,theRepublicoftheMarshallIslands,theRepublicofPalau,Guam,andtheCommonwealthoftheNorthernMarianasIslandstopreservethenaturalresourcesthatarecrucialtothesurvivalofPacifictraditions,culturesandlivelihoods(Viewsigneddeclaration).TheoverallgoaloftheChallengeistoeffectivelyconserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine resources and 20% of the terrestrialresourcesacrossMicronesiaby2020.Thisambitious challenge farexceedscurrentgoalssetbyinternationalconventionsandtreaties,whichcallforcountriestoconserve10%ofterrestrialandmarineresourcesby2010and2012respectively.It includes commitments to protect 30% of priority watersheds and effectively manage30%ofnearshoreoceanwatersby2030.Hawai‘i alsoaccepted the invitation to join theGlobal Island Partnership and will share their model for sustainability, the Aloha+Challenge, with other island communities: The 30 by 30 Oceans target is a part of theState’sSustainableHawaiiInitiative.AreacurrentlyunderprotectionU.S.MarineSanctuaries/Monumentswithcoralhabitat:TOTALAREA=697,761mi2

- PaphanoumokuakeaMNM:580,000mi2- MarianasTrenchMNM:96,714mi2


- PacificRemoteIslandsMNM:86,888mi2- AmericanSamoaNMS:13,581mi2- RoseAtollMNM:13,436mi2- FloridaKeysNMS:3,800mi2- Flower Gardens NMS: 56 mi2 Of that 697,761 mi2, 440 mi2 are shallow hard

bottom coral reef habitat – the larger footprint is important for connectivitybetweenreefsandfishingimpacts.

FondationpourlaProtectiondelaBiodiversitéMarine(FoProBiM)Haiti’s protection laws are extremely weak; however, FoProBiM are hoping to have thelawsupdated soon, andHaiti’s firstMMAmanagementplanhasbeen completed.Haiti iscurrently above the 20% target with more MMA declarations in the works. All remainpaperparks(butwiththebeginningsofmanagementactivities).TheNatureConservancy

SeychellesMarineSpatialPlan(MSP)InitiativeAnoutputof thegovernment-ledDebt-for-Climate-Change-AdaptationSwap inwhich theGovernmentcommittedtoexpandingmarinebiodiversityprotectionto30%oftheEEZandTerritorial Sea by 2020. The Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust(SeyCCAT) was created from the debt swap, and is an independent public-private trustmandated tosupport the implementationof theMSPandothermarineconservationandclimate adaptation activities in Seychelles. Seychelles is the first country to haveimplementationfundinginplacebeforeithascompleteditsmarinespatialplan.InManusProvince inPapuaNewGuineaandChoiseulProvince inSolomon Islands,TNCare assisting communities and government partners with establishing ridges to reefsprotected area networks. These protected area networks are helping to conservebiodiversity,enhancefoodsecurityandbuildcommunityresiliencetoclimatechange.The4thyearoftheCaribbeanMarineBiodiversityAfive-yearproject(2014-2019),fundedbytheU.S.AgencyforInternationalDevelopmentand The Nature Conservancy, operating in five target countries- Dominican Republic,Grenada,Haiti,JamaicaandSt.Vincent&theGrenadines.Theprogramfocusesoncreatingand effectively managing marine conserved areas and establishing and promotingsustainablefisheries.UNEPCaribbeanEnvironmentProgram,Jamaica


ProtectionofmarinespeciesundertheSPAWAnnexesContractingPartiestotheSPAWProtocol(adoptedin1990andenteredintoforcein2000;currently 16 Contracting Parties) adopted the Annexes of species requiring specialprotection.TheseAnnexesoutlinecoastalandmarinespeciesofflora(AnnexI),andfauna(Annex II), requiring the highest level of protection for which exploitation is forbidden.SpeciesoffloraandfaunaforwhichexploitationisauthorizedbutregulatedtoensureandmaintainpopulationatanoptimallevelarelistedunderAnnexIII.Recognizingthegrowingthreats to reef ecosystems and the urgent call for action, coral species are listed underAnnexIIIoftheSPAWProtocolsince1991,ensuringlegalprotectiontocoralreefsamongContractingParties to theProtocol.Acropora andFaviid corals have sincebeen listed toAnnexIIin2014duetotheirIUCN“Endangered”status.In the lightofanecosystembasedmanagementof coral reefs, fisheriesspecies includingQueen Conch, Caribbean Spiny Lobster andNassauGrouper have also been listed underAnnexIIIoftheSPAWProtocol(1991forQueenConchandSpinyLobster,2017forNassauGrouper).Anadditionalninespeciesofsharksandraysassociatedwithreefhabitatshavealsobeenadded toAnnexes IIand IIIof theSPAWProtocol.Despiteparrot fish fisheriesbeingprohibitedinBelize,TurkandCaicos,Bonaire,PuertoRicoandtheU.SVirginIslands(Choatetal2012),theneedtolistparrotfishundertheSPAWprotocolwasoneofthemainrecommendationensuing from theGCRMNreport “StatusandTrendsofCaribbeanCoralReefs: 1970-2012” addressing the trophic cascade associated with the overfishing ofherbivorous fish and the shift to microalgae dominated state (Mumby et al 2006),reiteratedduring15thand16thWECAFCsessions(TrinidadandTobago,March2014andGuadeloupe,June2016respectively).ProtectedAreaslistedundertheSPAWProtocolThroughtheaforementionedactivities,UNEnvironment–CEPisnotonlyworkingtowardsmeetingglobalAichiTargets,butisalsoinlinewithICRI’sCallofActionPlan(2016-2018)Goal 3.1 to “Promote legal frameworks for the protection of coral reefs and associatedmangroves and seagrasses, with quantified targets and effective enforcement to protecttheseecosystems”.WithintheCaMPAMdatabase,32marineprotectedareasofficiallylistedundertheSPAWProtocol ensuring a legal framework for the protection of reefs. Some of the benefitsassociatedwiththelistingofprotectedareasundertheSPAWProtocolare:

- Accesstoadditionalavenuesfordialogueandinformationsharing- Strengtheningthe leadershiproleofContractingParties inmarineconservation in

thewiderCaribbean- Higher visibility resulting in possible increases in employment opportunities and

income(e.g.fromtourism)- Increased likelihoodofbenefiting fromSPAWgrantof thecurrent32SPAW-listed


protectedareas,20directlyprotectcoralreefs.

Ø Goal3-2:encourageabanonplasticmicrobeadsincosmeticproducts

Country/Organisation

Nouseofmicrobeads Ongoingeffortstobanmicrobeads

Brazil Commercialindustryhasnotyetstoppedmanufacturing.In2018,sectoralmeetingswilldecidewhichrecommendationsshouldbeincludedintheNationalPlan.

Japan ThecosmeticindustryinJapanisrefrainingfromusingthemincompositionsofcosmeticproductsonavoluntarybasis,whilereplacingthemwithnaturalmaterialssuchascellulose

Maldives MaldivesjoinedUNEnvironment'sCleanSeaCampaigntoeliminatemarinelitter(September2017).Maldivespledgedtocollectandremoveplasticrubbishfromtheseabyfishermenwhiletheyfish.

UK TheUKiscurrentlyworkingtoimplementthislegislativebanandexpectstodosoin2018

USA Abanonmanufacturingofcosmeticswithmicrobeadscommencedon1stJuly,2017

Brazil

Brazil has undertaken a voluntary commitment to theWorld Ocean Conference, in June2017, titled "Development of a national strategy to combat marine litter." Brazil must


followUNResolutionsonthesubject-Resolution1/6andResolution2/11,whichmentionabanonmicrobeadsasagoal,but,at thesametime,urgespeople toreflectonthecost-effectivenessofthealternatives.ItisimportanttomentionthatBrazilshouldfollowUNEA.The private industries and services are already aware of the issue but have not yetcommentedspecificallyonthemicrobeadsmatter inaclearandspecificway.Between6and 8 of November 2017, the Ministry of Environment, in partnership with the UnitedNations Environment Program and the Oceanographic Institute of the University of SãoPaulo(IOUSP),heldthe1stNationalSeminartofightmarinelitter,withsupportfromtheWorldAnimalProtectionandtheConsulateGeneralofFranceinRiodeJaneiro.Thiswas the first step towards the development of theNational Plan to CombatMarineLitter by the federal government. In 2018, sectoral meetings will decide whichrecommendationsshouldbeincludedintheNationalPlan.Japan

Regarding microbeads, the cosmetic industry in Japan is refraining from using them incompositionsofcosmeticproductsonavoluntarybasis,whilereplacingthemwithnaturalmaterialssuchascellulose.Thecurrentsituationofmicro-plastics in theocean includingmicrobeadsisbeingmonitoredcontinuously.MalaysiaMalaysia’s effort to reduce theuse of plastic bagsbeganwhen thePenang State in 2009bannedtheuseofplasticbagsfromshoppingstoresonMondays. In2010,SelangorstatefollowedtobantheuseofplasticbagsforcustomersonSaturdays.BothStateGovernmentsultimately imposesthebanontheuseofplasticbagsonanyday.CustomersarechargedMYR0.20 (USD0.06) for each plastic bag they requested and themoney is channeled tocharitybodiesorconsumerismprogramsandenvironmentalconservationefforts.The federal government through the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperative andConsumerism (MDTCC) in 2011 launched the No Plastic Bag Day (NPBD) CampaignthroughoutMalaysiaforeachSaturday.Theobjectiveistoreducetheuseofplasticbagsinordertoreduce itsnegative impactontheenvironment.Storeschargea levyofMYR0.20(USD0.06) for each new plastic bag requested by customers during the program. TheMalaccaStateGovernmenthasdirectedretailerstoreplaceconventionalplasticbagswithbiodegradableonesinsteadbutwithoutanyadditionalcharge.Onasmallerscale,theMinistry,throughDepartmentofMarineParkMalaysiacarriesoutannual beach and reef clean up within their marine park areas. Besides that, tourismoperators are also encouraged to reduce the use of plastic food containers. As for daytrippers, the operators are required to pack all garbage to be dispose of on mainland.Diving operators are also encouraged to be members of Green Fins and to be involved


actively in conservation programs. To date, there are 33 active Green Fins membersoperatingonmarineparkislands.TheRepublicofMaldives

Marine litterandmicroplasticshavebeen identifiedasa serious issueatanational levelandthegovernment isplanningthenecessarystepstobetakentoaddressthis issue.On12thSeptember2017MaldivesjoinedUNEnvironment'sCleanSeaCampaigntoeliminatemarinelitter.Maldivesalsohaspledgedtocollectandremoveplasticrubbishfromtheseaby fishermenwhile they fish. After they are collected the rubbishwill be shipped to thecapital,Malé,whereitwillbetransferredtolong-distanceshipsforrecyclingintoplastic-basedfabrics.UnitedKingdomThe UK has sought to implement a ban on both the manufacture and sale of plasticmicrobeads in cosmetic products in order to reduce their entry into the marineenvironment. To do so the UK sought scientific evidence to underpin the legislativedirective(scopeofpotentialbans),undertookpublicconsultationprocessesinaccordancewith UK law and consulted the EU and World Trade Association in accordance withstandard protocol. The UK then developed an Impact Assessment includingadvice/evidence supplied from Industry and recommendations from economists beforeengaging within government and across associated governments (devolvedadministrations) on the potential impacts of such a ban. TheUK is currentlyworking toimplementthislegislativebanandexpectstodosoin2018.UnitedStatesofAmerica(USA)

PresidentObamasigned into lawabanon rinse-off cosmetics that contain intentionally-added plasticmicrobeads beginning on January 1, 2018, and a ban onmanufacturing ofthesecosmeticsbeginningonJuly1,2017.

Ø Goal3-3: improve regulationandenforcement to reducedirectanthropogenic

damageduetodredgingandphysicalalterationofreefstructuresBrazilIn Brazil, harbors and dredging activities must be licensed by state and national


EnvironmentalAgencies.FederalenvironmentallicensingisdonebytheBrazilianInstitutefor the Environment and Natural Renewable Resources (IBAMA). Also, to obtainauthorizationformarinedisposalofdredgedmaterial,anenvironmentallicensingprotocolmust be followed according to the CONAMA (Brazilian National Council of theEnvironment)resolution237/1997.In addition, CONAMA published another resolution 454/2012 establishing generalguidelines and reference procedures for the management of material to be dredged inmarine areaswithin national jurisdiction. An environmentalmonitoring program is alsorequired to identify and quantify the impacts that may be caused by dredging. Waterturbidity is monitored, based on a risk scale, through fixed oceanographic stationsregularly calibrated to issue warnings and stop dredging while the turbidity lies aboveacceptable range levels.Nevertheless, these resolutionsdonotpreventMarineProtectedAreas near harbors and dredging areas from being affected by the impacts of suchactivities.IfaProtectedAreaisaffectedbydredgingactivitiesitreceivesanenvironmentalcompensation. Article 36 of SNUC (Brazilian National System for Conservation Areas)determines that in cases of environmental licensing for constructions of significantenvironmental damage, the entrepreneur is forced to upkeep the implementation andmaintenance of an Area of High Level Conservation, or, in case it affects a specificConservationArea,oritsbufferarea,thatareaitshouldbeoneofthebeneficiariesforthecompensation,evenifit’snotaHigh-LevelConservationArea.However,thecompensationvaluedoesn’tamounttomorethan0.5%ofthecostoftheproject.JapanInnationalandquasi-nationalparks,reclaiminglandinmarineareas,physicalalterationofseafloors,andsomeotheractivitiesarelegallyregulatedaccordingtoNaturalParksAct.MalaysiaAlldevelopmentactivitieswithinmarineparkareasareprohibitedunlessallowed forbytheDirectorGeneralofMarineParks.DevelopmentactivitiesthatareallowedarerequiredbylawtocarryoutEnvironmentImpactAssessment(EIA)regardlessofsizeoftheproject.ThisisprovidedunderEnvironmentQualityAct1974–EnvironmentalQuality(PrescribeActivities)(EnvironmentalImpactAssessment)Order2015.UndertheOrder,developmentprojectsinareasonoradjacenttomarineecosystemswhicharedeemedasEnvironmentalSensitiveAreasarealsorequiredtocarryoutEIA.TheRepublicofMaldives


SeparateregulationunderEnvironmentalActhasbeenformulatedtoaddressdredgingandreclamationofreefsand lagoonsofMaldives.Theregulationsalsocontainstandardsandguidelinestofollowtominimizethenegativeimpactsofsuchactivities.UnitedKingdomAs most of the UK’s cold-water coral reefs occur in the deep-sea they are not typicallyexposedtodredgingactivity.However,theUKhasamarinelicensingsystemtoensurethatdredging(andotherregulatedindustryactivities)donotadverselyaffectpriorityhabitatsand species, including coral reefs. The licensing process identifies potential adverseimpacts of activities and developments and where appropriate will refuse consent, orimpose license conditions tomonitor ormitigate impacts. If a project is likely to have asignificanteffectontheenvironmentanEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)mustbecarriedoutbeforealicensecanbegranted;mostaggregatedredgingapplicationsrequirean EIA. There is also a strict set of rules concerning adverse effects on the designatedhabitatsofSACs,suchascold-watercoralreefsandseagrasses.This‘HabitatsRegulationsAssessment’ process requires developers (e.g. dredging companies) to demonstrate noimpactoftheactivityontheprotectedhabitats,ortoputinplacemitigationmeasuresifanimpactisanticipated.TheMarineManagementOrganisationandMarineScotlandareresponsibleforlicensingofdredging activities in the UK. Please get in contact if further detail on the UK licensingprocesswouldbeusefultoICRI.BenthichabitatsandspeciesneedtobeconsideredwithintherelevantEIA,wherethis isrequired.ThisincludesallhabitatsandspecieslistedasAnnex1,SSSIorUKorlocalBAPdesignations and the OSPAR list of threatened and/or declining species and habitats.Consideration is also given towhether or not the effects of activities requiring a licensemight affect the 78Descriptor 1 and 6: Benthic habitats conservation objectives of sitesdesignatedundertheEUNaturaDirectives.Wherethereisariskofsuchaneffectaformalassessmentofthepotentialactivityismadeinrelationtothesitesconservationobjectives.The Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)Directivesbothrequiretheeffectsofdevelopmentstobeassessedfortheirimpactontheenvironment, including seabedhabitats.Theobjectiveof thesedirectives is to ensurenosignificant impacts, and to ensure all relevant considerations are made beforedevelopmentsoccur.UnitedStatesofAmerica(USA)TheU.S.CoralReefTaskForce(USCRTF)developedthe“HandbookonCoralReefImpacts:Avoidance,Minimization, CompensatoryMitigation and Restoration.” TheHandbook is acharacterization of the federalmandates; review of existing policies and federal agency,


stateandterritoryrolesandresponsibilities;andacompendiumofbestpractices,science-based methodologies for quantifying ecosystem functions or services, and protocolsavailable for use when assessing, mitigating, and restoring coral reef ecosystems. Thetargetproductisanamalgamationofcoralreefregulatorypractices.ThetargetaudienceforthisHandbookincludesprojectapplicants,proponents,permitteesorconsultants forprojects thatmayaffectcoralreefsor forresponsibleparties(RP)andtheirconsultantsintheeventofunplannedimpactevents.ThisHandbookisalsointendedtobeareferenceforresourcemanagerswhoarechargedwithprojectpermitting,damageresponse, impactmitigation, andhabitat restoration.ThisHandbookwasadoptedby theUSCRTFinthefallof2016.UNEnvironmentProgramWorldConservationMonitoringCentre(UNEP-WCMC)

Within theProteusPartnership,UNEP-WCMCprovide leading extractive companieswithglobalmarineandcoastalhabitatsdatatostrengthenbusinessapproachesforbiodiversitymanagement. Specific focus is given to ‘Critical Habitat’, including coral reefs andassociatedecosystems,asidentifiedunderInternationalFinanceCorporationPerformanceStandard Six (ICF PS6) through production of global layers of thesemarine and coastalhabitats,hostedontheOceanDataViewer.

Ø Goal3-4:promote thedeploymentofmooringdevices limiting themechanicaldestructionofcoralreefsandseagrasses

Brazil

The rules on anchoring in coral reefs and seagrass in Brazil are only forMPAs and arerecommended inactions in themanagementplansof theseMPAs.Forexample,AbrolhosNationalMarineParkhasmooringdevicesonsandyareas fortouristandresearchboats,the number of boats is also controlled. At Rocas Atoll Biological Reserve, where onlyresearchisallowed,afixedmooringisusedbytheboatthattakestheresearchteamstotheAtoll.AtFernandodeNoronhaNationalMarinePark,animportanttouristdestinationanddiving,inmostdivesitestheboatanchorageisnotauthorized.AtCostadosCoraisMarineProtectedArea (sustainableuse), anchoring isnot allowed in coral reefs and seagrass in135kmextension,howeverenforcementisachallengeinsuchalargearea.Example:PublicUsePlanforAbrolhos:“...thenumberofvesselsallowedtooperatewillbeconditionedtothequantityanddistributionofmooringpoints,toavoidanchoringoverthereeforalgaebottom”.Theanchoringsystemconsistsindeterminingfixedpointsfordivingactivities and, upon local approval by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment andRenewableNaturalResources,astainless-steelcablemaybeattachedtopartsof thereeftop(chapeirão).Attheotherendofthecable,atireisattached(preferablypaintedredto


facilitatelocation)atanapproximatedepthof2.5metersbelowthesurfaceathightide.The system allows themaster of the vessel, sailor or the one responsible for the divingoperation, toeasilysee thedivingspot.Uponseeing it, a cablecoming fromthevessel ispassed through the tire, returning it to the vessel. With this maneuver, the need forinstalling moorings or releasing anchors on the chapeirão is eliminated, thus avoidingdamage to its structure. The geographic coordinates of those points should be widelydisclosedbythePark.Thesuggestedmodelisbasedonthedivingoperationcarriedoutinother ConservationUnits of several countries such as Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Bahamas,Papua New Guinea, Australia and others. Thismodel is adopted for its cost vs. benefitsrelationship, since it is efficient and of low cost and maintenance, compared to othermodels.Japan

Significantrecoveryofcoralreefwasobservedatadivingpoint,whichwasclosedforthreeyears (1998-2001)byZamamiFisheryCooperativeafterbeingdamagedbyshipanchorsand divers. Thereafter, the same point has been opened to the public again. Herein,mooringdevicesaredeployedtoavoidanchordrop,andalsothenumberofincomingshipsis limited.Bydoingso, localpeoplearetryingtoprotectcoralreefs.Asimilarmeasure isimplementedinTokashikiaswell,andtheseeffortshaveresultedineffectiveconservationofcoralreefs.MalaysiaTheMinistry,throughDepartmentofMarineParkMalaysiaprovidesmooringbuoystoallmarineparks.Thisiscarriedoutonanannualbasiswherebuoysarereplacedandaddedasrequired.BoatsareprohibitedbylawunderFisheriesAct1985toanchoronreefswithinmarineparks.Therefore,mooringbuoysareprovidedonsuitablesitesespeciallydivesitesandsnorkelsites.Mooringbuoysarealsoprovidedtovillagerstopreventbeachingofboatstothebeach.TheRepublicofMaldives

Therearenomooringprogramsatanationallevel,butmooringprogramsarebeingsetatprotected areas. Currently, there aremooringbuoysdeployed in theBaa atoll biospherereserve. TheEnvironmentMinistry is planning on extending the deployment ofmooringbuoystoothermarineprotectedareaswhicharefamousdivessites.UnitedKingdom


A ‘Marine Biodiversity Impacts Evidence Group’ led by the Department of Environment,FoodandRuralAffairs(Defra)hasnearlycompletedareviewofeco-mooring techniquesusingcasestudiesofwherethesemethodshavebeenexploredandtestedinEnglandandWales.Thereviewconsiderswhetherthesedeviceswouldprovideasuitableapproachformanaging recreational mooring activities in MPAs and explores potential fundingmechanisms for their implementation.TheUKwill happily share theproject reportwithICRIassoonasitbecomesavailable.Eco-mooringprojects arebeingpilotedat anumberof seagrassbed sites in theUK.ThePorthdinllaen Seagrass Project in North Wales is trialing ways to reduce impacts onseagrass while allowing people to continue recreational and economic activities. Thisprojectwill:trialhelixanchorstoreplaceconcretemoorings;designadaptationsforchainmooring;andconsiderestablishingdesignatedanchoringzonesawayfromseagrassbeds.InPembrokeshireMarineSACinsouth-westWales,avoluntaryno-anchoragreementhasbeen established in sensitive habitat zones and visitor moorings have been providedoutsideofkey seagrassareas.Thishas successfullydeterredanchoringonseagrassbedsand further steps arenowbeing considered, such as trialling seagrass-friendlymooringsthat can also benefit sea users (e.g. through better protection in adverse weather andgreaterboatdensityinmooringzones).TheUKcanshareexperiencesandlessonslearnedfromtheseprojectsastheycontinuetodevelop.UnitedStatesofAmerica(USA)

There are a few funding opportunities andmultiple programs in the United States thatpromote the use of mooring devices to prevent both large commercial and smallerrecreationalboatimpacts.Thefollowingbulletsareafewrepresentativeexamples.

Ø PortEvergladescommercialvesselanchorage,FortLauderdale,FloridaThecommercialanchorageforPortEvergladeswasmovedtoreducethepotentialfor futuregroundingsoff thecoastofFortLauderdale.The formeranchorageareawas located between the second and third coral reefs running parallel to theshoreline.Thenewanchorageareaislocatedfurtheroffshoreandisapproximately13percentsmaller.ThenewconfigurationisexpectedtocontinuetomeettheneedsofshipsconductingbusinessinPortEverglades,akeyregionaleconomicengine.

Ø FloridaKeysNationalMarineSanctuaryBuoyProgram

Mooringbuoys,whichare18”indiameterwithabluestripe,havebeenusedintheFloridaKeyssince1981asanalternativetoanchoring,whichcanbreakanddamagethe coral reef. There are over 490 mooring buoys available for use within thesanctuaryonafirst-come,first-servedbasisatnocosttotheboater.Anchoringonlivingcoralwithinthesanctuaryinwaterslessthan40feetandwhenthebottomis


visibleisprohibited.

Ø PuertoRicanMooringBuoysThe Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico hasinstalledover270mooringbuoysinseagrass,coral,andmangroveregionswiththeanticipation that they will curb boating damage and allow these naturalenvironmentstorecover.

Ø HawaiiDay-UseMooringBuoy10-YearStrategicPlan

With a grant from the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, the Malama KaiFoundation published the Day-Use Mooring Buoy 10-Year Strategic Plan (DMBPLAN)toprovidethestateofHawaiiwithalong-termstrategytoinstallandmanageday-use moorings buoys throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. The DMB PLANidentifies existing and future sites for day-use moorings in order toreduce/eliminate anchor damage and minimize user conflicts, and over-use. TheDMBPLAN recommends a long-term strategy tomanage themoorings, necessaryrulechangesandidentifiespotentialreliableandconsistentfundingsources.

Ø MooringBuoyPlanningGuideWith funding from a NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, this guide wasproducedbyProjectAWAREFoundationandPADIInternationalResortAssociationtoaddresssomeoftheissuesrelatingtotheplanning,installationandmaintenanceofamooringbuoyprogram.

Reef-WorldFoundation

Through the Green Fins Code of Conduct #5 (Participate in the development andimplementationofamooringbuoyprogramandactivelyusemoorings,driftorhandplaceanchorsforboats)governmentsresponsiblefortheprotectionandsustainableuseofcoralreefs are working alongside scuba diving businesses to help install mooring buoys. Asgovernment departments usually lack the skills, training and equipment needed forinstallingmooringbuoys, theGreenFinsapproachhashelped to forgenewrelationshipswithbusinesseswhoareable toprovideresourcesandassistance in theseareas.Privatesectorbusinessesarecommonlynotlegallyallowedtoinstallmooringbuoysatdivesitesandacquiringthecorrectpermissionandauthoritytodosoisoftenamajorlimitingfactordue to complicated bureaucratic systems in place. Enhanced communications channelsbetween public and private sectors establish through the Green Fins initiative allow forbetter cooperation, removing barriers to enable to installation ofmooring buoys at divesitesleadingtoanoverallreductionindamagefromanchoring.Reef-World have recently developed a series of two-minute videos that have received a


largeonlineuptakewithoneofthevideosspecificallyaddressingthisthreat.TheHowtoUseAlternativestoAnchoringvideohasbeenviewedover30,000timessinceitsreleaseinAugust2017.

Ø Goal3-5:reviewissuesrelatedtotheimpactofsunscreensandotherendocrine

disruptorsoncoralreefs,andencouragetheproductionofsunscreensthatareprovennottodamagecoralreefs

Japan

In Kerama/Zamami in Japan, coral-friendly sunscreens are sold. The sunscreens do notcontain oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), which is allegedly harmful to corals. However,scientific background of this idea is not clear, according to an ecologist. Furthermore,artificially produced chemicals, such as DCMU (which is used for paintcoating of shipbottomsandagriculturalchemicals),isdamagingtogrowthofcorals,accordingtoresearchbyWWFandothers.MalaysiaTherewerepreliminarystudiesontheimpactofsunscreensoncoralreefsbyresearchersfromlocaluniversitiesinMalaysia.Therehasnorecommendationorpolicycalltoproducesunscreensthatdonotdamagecoralreefsyet.UnitedKingdom

Sunscreens are regarded as cosmetics and as such are regulated under EU Regulation1223/2009.ThelegislationrequiresthatproductsarenotifiedtotheEUCommissionandsafety assessments carried out by safety assessors. The EU Commission is required toupdatethisregulationtocoverendocrinedisruptingeffects.UnitedStatesofAmerica(USA)

Thereisadevelopingbodyofscientificevidenceshowingthatcertainchemicalsincludedin sunscreens thatprovideprotection topeople from the sun, includingoxybenzone, canphysiologically injure and/or kill a number ofmarine organisms, including coral specieslistedundertheEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA).Oxybenzoneistoxictocoralandthreatensoverallcoralreefhealthby:

- Inducingcoralbleaching- Harming or killing coral larvae by inducing cross deformities, DNA damage, and

bleaching


- Actingasanendocrinedisruptor- Bioaccumulatingincoraltissue.

NOAA scientists from the Coral Disease and Health Consortium participated in thedevelopment of some of these studies and are reviewing the results from others. (C. A.Down,2016)Reef-WorldFoundationThroughtheGreenFinsinitiative,TheReef-WorldFoundationactivelyraiseawarenesstothe issues associated with the use of sunscreens in coral reef areas, advocating therestricted use of sunscreen during snorkeling and diving activities and instead wherepossiblepromotingtheuseofeco-friendlyalternativestomarinetourismbusinesses.Thecharity iscurrentlynotengaged inanyspecificacademicresearchbuthascarriedout itsownliteraturereviewintocurrentresearchthathasidentifiedthespecificcompoundsandactiveingredientsthatareconsideredharmfultocoralreefsandothermarinelifeinorderto better educate Green Fins members and provide alternatives. Reef-World would beinterested in knowingmore information based on scientific findings to enhance currentawarenessraisingactivities.The Reef-World Foundation successfully acquired consumer discounts for Green Finsmembersinterestedinpurchasingcoralreef‘safe’sunscreenthatdoesnothaveanyactiveingredients that have been identified as being harmful to corals or other marine life.Through collaborating with www.humanheartnature.com based in the Philippines, TheReef-World Foundationwere able to provide a discount code specifically for Green Finsmembersbased in thePhilippineswhowere interested inpurchasing sunscreens for re-salepurposestotheircustomersorguests.

theme 3: “help to reduce human threats to coral reefs and … · 2017-12-01 · initiative...

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