#Restoring biodiversity: the fight against black water pollution

[greenthestral]

From Black Water to Clear Water: The Remarkable Journey of Environmental Restoration

Understanding the Problem: The Issue of Black Water

Black water, with its ominous name, evokes images of pollution and contamination that have become a growing concern in many regions across the globe. It refers to water bodies that have become heavily polluted, resulting in a dark, murky appearance that stands in stark contrast to the clarity and vibrancy of healthy water ecosystems. This phenomenon is primarily caused by the accumulation of various pollutants, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage.

The consequences of black water extend far beyond its visual impact. The pollution present in black water wreaks havoc on aquatic ecosystems, leading to severe ecological imbalances and devastating consequences. As pollutants infiltrate water bodies, they disrupt the delicate balance of life within the water, depleting oxygen levels and impeding the growth and survival of aquatic organisms. The effects ripple through the entire food chain, resulting in the decline of fish populations, the loss of habitat for aquatic plants and animals, and a significant reduction in overall biodiversity.

Moreover, the dangers associated with black water extend beyond ecological concerns and pose a substantial risk to human health. The polluted water can harbor harmful pathogens and toxic chemicals that can have dire consequences for those who come into contact with it. When people consume or come in contact with black water, they face the risk of contracting waterborne diseases, experiencing skin irritations, and even suffering from long-term health issues due to the exposure to toxic substances.

Industrial activities, including manufacturing and mining, often contribute to the pollution that transforms water bodies into black water. Discharge from factories, improper waste management, and the release of untreated or inadequately treated effluents into waterways significantly contribute to the accumulation of pollutants. Similarly, agricultural practices play a significant role in polluting water bodies, as chemical fertilizers and pesticides from farmlands can be washed away by rainfall, contaminating rivers, lakes, and other water sources. The improper disposal of sewage and the absence of adequate wastewater treatment facilities also contribute to the blackening of water bodies, as untreated or partially treated sewage finds its way into natural water systems.

Addressing the issue of black water and restoring polluted water bodies require a comprehensive and multidimensional approach. Environmental awareness and education are vital components in tackling the problem at its root. By increasing public awareness about the importance of clean water and the consequences of pollution, individuals can be encouraged to adopt more responsible practices and actively contribute to the preservation of water resources.

Governments and regulatory bodies also have a critical role to play in implementing and enforcing effective policies and regulations. Stricter regulations regarding industrial waste management, wastewater treatment, and agricultural practices can help curb the pollution that leads to black water. Additionally, monitoring programs and stringent enforcement of pollution control measures are necessary to ensure compliance and hold accountable those who contribute to water pollution.

The development and implementation of advanced treatment technologies are essential in the restoration of black water bodies. Cutting-edge filtration systems, such as activated carbon filters and membrane bioreactors, can effectively remove contaminants and pollutants, helping to restore water quality. Biological methods, such as constructed wetlands and bioaugmentation, also offer promising avenues for the restoration of polluted water bodies. These natural processes utilize the power of plants and microorganisms to filter and cleanse the water, promoting the recovery of ecosystems.

Furthermore, restoring riparian zones and wetlands plays a pivotal role in rehabilitating black water areas. Riparian zones, the transitional areas between land and water, and wetlands serve as natural filters and buffers, trapping sediment and pollutants before they enter water bodies. Protecting and restoring these valuable ecosystems can significantly contribute to improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, and establishing sustainable environments.

While the challenges associated with black water restoration are considerable, several success stories provide hope and inspiration. Lake Washington in the United States serves as a notable example. Once heavily polluted and suffering from black water, Lake Washington underwent a remarkable transformation through the implementation of wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater management plans, and habitat restoration projects. Today, it stands as a testament to successful environmental restoration, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a valuable recreational resource for the community.

Similarly, the Thames River in the United Kingdom, once infamous for being a "dead river" due to severe pollution, has seen significant improvements. Through collaborative efforts involving government agencies, environmental organizations, and local communities, the river has undergone extensive restoration. Strict regulations, water quality monitoring programs, and pollution control measures have contributed to the recovery of the river's health, turning it into a thriving ecosystem that stands as a symbol of successful environmental restoration.

Black water represents a pressing environmental issue that threatens the health and vitality of water bodies worldwide. Its accumulation of pollutants, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and sewage, leads to severe ecological imbalances and poses risks to both aquatic life and human health. However, through a comprehensive approach that includes awareness, education, policy implementation, advanced treatment technologies, and ecosystem restoration, it is possible to restore black water bodies to their former clarity and vibrancy. By working together and embracing our responsibility as stewards of the environment, we can pave the way for a future where black water becomes a thing of the past, replaced by thriving, clear water ecosystems that benefit both nature and society.

The Path to Restoration: Environmental Challenges and Solutions

Addressing the problem of black water requires a multifaceted approach that combines environmental awareness, scientific research, and effective policy implementation. Various strategies can be employed to restore polluted water bodies and transform them into clear, vibrant ecosystems once again.

Identifying the Sources of Pollution: The first step in restoring black water is to identify and address the sources of pollution. This may involve conducting thorough water quality assessments and monitoring programs to determine the specific pollutants present. By understanding the root causes, authorities can develop targeted strategies to reduce or eliminate pollution at its source.

Implementing Effective Waste Management Practices: Proper waste management is crucial in preventing pollution and restoring water quality. Industries must adopt responsible practices, such as treating their effluent before releasing it into water bodies. Similarly, agricultural practices should focus on minimizing runoff by implementing erosion control measures and adopting sustainable farming techniques. Encouraging individuals to dispose of waste properly and promoting recycling initiatives can also contribute to a cleaner environment.

Developing Advanced Treatment Technologies: To combat black water, innovative treatment technologies are essential. Advanced filtration systems, such as activated carbon filters and membrane bioreactors, can help remove contaminants and pollutants effectively. Additionally, the use of biological methods, such as constructed wetlands and bioaugmentation, can aid in restoring the ecological balance of polluted water bodies.

Restoring Riparian Zones and Wetlands: Restoring riparian zones and wetlands plays a crucial role in rehabilitating black water areas. These habitats act as natural filters, removing pollutants and sediments from water. By restoring and protecting these valuable ecosystems, we can enhance water quality, promote biodiversity, and create a sustainable environment.

Success Stories: Transforming Black Water into Clear Water

While the challenges associated with black water restoration are substantial, several success stories offer hope and inspiration. These projects demonstrate that with dedicated efforts and the implementation of effective strategies, it is possible to turn black water into clear, thriving ecosystems.

Lake Washington, United States: Lake Washington, once plagued by pollution and excess nutrients, underwent a remarkable transformation. By implementing wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater management plans, and habitat restoration projects, the water quality improved significantly. Today, Lake Washington is a thriving ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of plant and animal species.

Thames River, United Kingdom: The Thames River in London was once heavily polluted, earning the infamous reputation of being a "dead river." However, concerted efforts by various stakeholders, including government agencies, environmental organizations, and local communities, have led to substantial improvements. Strict regulations, water quality monitoring programs, and pollution control measures have helped restore the river's health. Today, the Thames River is teeming with life, and it serves as a vibrant symbol of successful environmental restoration.

The Call for Action: Everyone's Responsibility

While these success stories offer hope, the battle against black water is far from over. It requires collective action and individual responsibility to ensure the continued restoration and preservation of our water bodies.

Promoting Environmental Education: Educating the public about the importance of clean water and the detrimental effects of pollution is crucial. By raising awareness and promoting environmental education, we can empower individuals to make informed choices and take actions that protect water resources.

Advocating for Stronger Policies: Governments and policymakers play a pivotal role in addressing black water. Stronger regulations and policies are necessary to enforce pollution control measures, encourage sustainable practices, and hold industries accountable for their actions. Individuals can contribute by supporting environmental advocacy groups and actively participating in public consultations and campaigns.

Engaging in Sustainable Practices: Each individual can make a difference by adopting sustainable practices in their daily lives. Conserving water, properly disposing of waste, and reducing the use of harmful chemicals are simple yet effective steps that contribute to water conservation and pollution prevention.

The Journey Continues: A Clear Future for Our Water

As we strive to restore black water and transform it into clear water, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to environmental stewardship. By implementing effective strategies, sharing knowledge, and fostering a sense of responsibility, we can create a future where polluted water bodies are a thing of the past.

Together, we can ensure that the journey from black water to clear water becomes a global success story, benefiting both the environment and future generations. Let us seize this opportunity to safeguard our water resources and preserve the beauty and vitality of our precious ecosystems.

[kakoliberlin]

2018 in Review

This year has certainly been a whirlwind one for wildlife conservation. We’ve had our hands full fighting threats to wildlife, habitat, landmark conservation laws, and climate policies. But we’ve had a major positive impact, and we wanted to highlight 18 of our biggest accomplishments this year!

1. We achieved a crucial legal victory this fall when a federal judge ruled in our favor, holding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) accountable for its attempts to undermine red wolf recovery. Defenders generated more than 37,000 public comments and won the support of North Carolina’s governor for red wolf recovery in the state, helping to secure our legal victory.

2. We launched a new campaign to help address storm-water runoff, the biggest source of toxics that impact southern resident orcas in Puget Sound — a critically imperiled species. Our Orcas Love Raingardens campaign highlights the link between southern resident orcas and toxic water pollution. It prioritizes opportunities for schools, parks and neighborhoods in Washington state to install more raingardens throughout the community to directly combat the storm-water runoff problem.

3. Defenders helped fund new research on mapping polar bear maternal dens in the western Arctic using unmanned aerial vehicles. We produced a video detailing this exciting new tool, which FWS has adopted for its use. This critical research aims both to identify polar bear winter dens to keep people, ice roads, and other development a safe distance away and to improve our understanding of female polar bear den fidelity and how climate change affects den locations.

4. Defenders is partnering with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Blackfeet Nation on an exciting new wild bison restoration effort. In 2016, 87 genetically pure bison from Canada’s Elk Island National Park were transported to the Blackfeet Reservation to begin the effort, but theyhave been kept in a very small pasture awaiting a permanent home. This year, we successfully acquired the first-year lease of a private ranch in a key location to provide the new home for this small herd.

5. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the addition of our Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative to its Working Lands for Wildlife partnership. This initiative is a collaboration led by Defenders to support farmers using conservation practices on their lands that help restore hellbender habitat.

6. We completed the fourth year of our Wolverine Watchers project, a highly popular community science forest carnivore monitoring effort on the rugged Bitterroot National Forest (BNF) in Montana. Nearly 140 volunteer scientists assisted with every aspect of the monitoring effort and documented the presence of 29 different species. Volunteers recorded seven individual wolverines at 14 monitoring stations and, for the first time, wolverine kits!

7. In response to two of Defenders’ listing petitions, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed the oceanic whitetip shark and the giant manta ray as threatened under the ESA. Now we can be sure that these species get the protections they need to begin recovering.

8. We released 27 scarlet macaws in the Biosphere Reserve of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico in August. This was our seventh scarlet macaw release there, and the birds reintroduced this summer will join 130 already in the wild. Through this series of reintroductions, we’ve established what is now the second largest wild population of scarlet macaws in Mexico, where they are highly imperiled. These reintroductions have brought scarlet macaws back from the brink of extinction, and the birds are forming breeding pairs and nesting in both natural nests and artificial ones partially funded by Defenders.

9. Following formal objections filed by Defenders and others, the Forest Service dramatically reduced the size of a proposed old-growth timber sale on Wrangell Island in the Tongass National Forest by about 90%, protecting thousands of acres of habitat for wildlife like Alexander Archipelago wolves, northern goshawks and brown and black bears.

10. Defenders opened our first-ever office in Texas to address critical threats to species and habitats in the Lone Star state. Texas supports some of the largest number of threatened and endangered species in the country, including the Houston toad, lesser prairie chicken, Gulf Coast jaguarundi, dunes sagebrush lizard, Mexican long-nosed bat, Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, and ocelot. So far, our work is focusing on significant threats posed by the proposed border wall, efforts to stop three proposed liquid natural gas export facilities that could block ocelot movement between the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Brownsville and five habitats in Mexico, and building collaborative relationships with private land owners, state and federal agencies, conservation organizations and other groups with shared interests in biodiversity.

11. Defenders developed a comprehensive new report, In the Shadow of the Wall, to illustrate the damage a border wall would have on wildlife and habitats along the southern border area. The report focuses on key species such as jaguars, ocelots, Mexican gray wolves, California condors, Sonoran pronghorn, and other threatened and endangered species. Over 2,500 scientists from 43 countries have endorsed the article.

Scientists’ Call to Action: The U.S.-Mexico Border Wall Threatens Biodiversity and Binational… Join us in expressing unified concern over the U.S.-Mexico border wall’s negative impacts on biodiversity and…defenders.org

12. We continued to advance climate change adaptation planning for wildlife on public lands with stakeholders in the U.S. and at international conferences and meetings across the country — even as the Trump administration has abdicated our country’s leadership on this seminal issue. Our plenary presentation at the Everglades Coalition conference in January explored the effects of hurricanes on key habitats, the role that ecosystems serve in mitigating storm damage to human communities, and ways that managers can help improve the resilience of natural areas.

13. Defenders developed, prioritized and deployed recommendations for strengthening conservation programs in the 2018 Farm Bill, the largest source of funding for species conservation on private lands nationwide. We spent months analyzing, advocating and improving upon dozens of provisions in both the House of Representatives and Senate versions of the bill, with the goal of producing final legislation that works for both people and wildlife.

14. We successfully led Capitol Hill and grassroots advocacy efforts to stop scores of direct attacks to undermine the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We played a leading advocacy role in helping to stop enactment of over 110 bills, riders and amendments damaging to the ESA. We also helped to achieve major victories for the ESA, the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), and national forests in the final Fiscal Year 2018 omnibus spending bill, which had the potential to be a disaster for wildlife.

15. Defenders’ President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark and other Defenders spokespersons helped focus remarkable attention in the national press against a damaging proposal by the Trump administration to rewrite the regulations implementing the ESA. We drafted detailed comments and coordinated weekly discussions with over 25 organizations to raise the public visibility of the proposals and helped generate 800,000 public comments in opposition.

16. In August, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina ruled for Defenders and our partners in our challenge to the Trump administration’s suspension of the Obama administration’s Clean Water Rule. The Clean Water Rule protects the drinking sources of nearly a third of the U.S. population under the Clean Water Act, including many seasonal streams and wetlands. The court’s ruling reinstated the Clean Water rule nationwide except in 24 states where it had previously been overruled.

17. Defenders published the first comprehensive overview of the status of ESA recovery planning in the leading journal Conservation Letters. Our research shows that a quarter of listed species lack recovery plans, half of all plans are over 22 years old and there is extensive variation between agencies and regions in how plans are implemented. Our research provides key evidence that major improvements are needed for recovery planning. This research is closely related to our ongoing work to develop web-based ESA recovery plans, which can help alleviate challenges faced by recovering and imperiled species.

18. Working with partners, we launched a major new project in New York aimed at increasing the pace of solar energy development on Long Island by identifying low-impact sites for generation based on local zoning and other laws, solar insolence and land protection priorities. The project will also conduct social science research in communities to understand residents’ perceptions of solar energy generation, and to identify and address barriers to development. We believe that if we can find room for solar energy facilities on a landscape as crowded as Long Island, we can export that model to innumerable other places in the country.

Thank you for helping us create a better world for wildlife in 2018. May 2019 bring you and your families health and happiness, and bring a more peaceful and protected world for wildlife.

The post 2018 in Review appeared first on Defenders of Wildlife Blog.

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[hudsonespie]

EU Leads The Way With Ambitious Action For Cleaner And Safer Seas

At the ongoing EU-hosted Our Ocean conference in Malta (5-6 October), the European Union has committed to 36 tangible actions to foster healthier, cleaner, safer and more secure seas. Amounting to over €550 million and involving activities worldwide, the announcements underline the EU’s determination to improve the situation of the seas and send a positive signal of encouragement to the rest of the world – governments and private sector alike – to step up and tackle the growing ocean challenges, from plastic pollution and protecting marine life to the impact of climate change and criminal activities at sea.

The EU’s 36 commitments are described in detail below.

Representation Image – Credits: IMO Collection/flikr.com

Maritime security is the basis for global trade and prosperity, but it is under threat – from natural disasters to piracy, trafficking and armed conflict. To make our oceans safer and more secure the European Union announced:

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€37.5 million to ensure maritime security and counter piracy along the south-eastern African coastline and in the Indian Ocean. The funds are to be implemented by four regional organisations (IGAD, COMESA, EAC and IOC) in cooperation with UNODC, INTERPOL and FAO. The programme supports alternative livelihood initiatives in the coastal pirate areas of Somalia, investigation capacities at national and regional level, prison reforms, prosecution and judicial capacity, disruption of illegal financial flows, combating money laundering, and various other maritime tasks, in addition to a regional mechanism for the coordination and exchange of maritime information.

€4 million of investment in its satellite monitoring programme (Copernicus) in 2017 to support EU agencies and EU Member States in monitoring oil pollution and large-scale commercial fisheries (including the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing) in the Northeast Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the North Sea, the Black Sea, the Pacific Ocean and around the Canary Islands. Copernicus will also introduce new services to support law enforcement and navigation safety in ice-infested areas.

continued support for maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, including through the Gulf of Guinea Inter-Regional Network and the launch of two new programmes: the SWAIMS programme (Support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security), worth €29 million, and the programme to improving port security in West and Central Africa, worth €8.5 million.

€1 million in 2017 to support the upgrading of the ICT systems of EU maritime authorities and facilitate cooperation between them. Furthermore, the European Union announced that it will contribute €80,000 to facilitate cooperation between coastguard authorities in Europe.

the launch of a prototype surveillance tool in September 2017 which detects ships to reveal the extent of human activities at sea. The ‘Search for Unidentified Maritime Objects’ tool, or ‘SUMO’ for short, is a piece of software that automatically analyses data from radar imaging satellites to find vessels as small as 1 metre long, even in cloudy conditions or at night. The SUMO tool is open source, to promote uptake by users and developers and facilitate international cooperation on mapping of ship routes, monitoring shipping intensity, identifying polluting ships, monitoring fishing activities, countering piracy and smuggling, and controlling maritime borders.

Marine pollution is a massive problem, with over 10 million tonnes of litter ending up in the sea each year. By 2050, our oceans could contain more plastic than fish. To tackle these challenges, the EU announced:

The launch of WISE-Marine, a gateway to information on European water issues for the general public and stakeholders to promote better ocean governance and ecosystem-based management. The platform will be expanded and integrated further in the years to come.

€2 million in 2017 to support the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive by the Member States and a further €2.3 million to support regional and inter-regional cooperation for this objective. The EU law aims to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) of the waters of EU Member States by 2020 and to protect the resource base upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend.

€2.85 million for marine pollution prevention and preparedness projects and €2.5 million for marine pollution exercises, to support and complement the cross-border cooperation efforts between EU countries and with selected countries in the EU’s vicinity.

draft measures to reduce the leakage of plastics into the environment by the end of 2017, as part of its upcoming plastics strategy.

draft measures in 2017 to reduce the discharges of ship-generated waste and cargo residues into the sea.

The sustainable blue economy is forecast to double by 2030, from an estimated €1.3 trillion today. The theme was added by the EU to this year’s edition of the Our Ocean conference to foster stronger synergies between sustainable ocean solutions and economic growth and employment in coastal communities around the world. To this end, the EU announced:

More than €250 million to fund marine and maritime research in 2017. This includes €40 million to support low-emission and advanced waterborne transport and over €30 million for marine energy. Furthermore, the EU announced that it will provide €12 million to support two new innovation projects on cleaning actions to combat marine litter and other pollutants. Finally, the European Union announced to support the BlueMED Initiative for cooperation on a healthy, productive and resilient Mediterranean Sea through science and research with over €50 million.

A further strengthening of its work on the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance by fostering enhanced cooperation frameworks with Atlantic partners such as Brazil and South Africa on marine science, research and innovation under the Belém Statement, and will allocate over €60 million in the period 2018-2019 to fulfilling this objective. The EU will also continue to implement the ground-breaking Galway Statement on Ocean Research Cooperation with the USA and Canada. The European Union reported that the number of research teams working in international consortia on the challenges facing the Atlantic Ocean will exceed 500 by 2019.

A €14.5 million investment initiative in 2017 to promote a sustainable blue economy in the European Union. Around €8 million of the fund is to provide start-up grants for high-potential projects in emerging blue economy sectors across the EU. In order to better monitor and combat marine litter, a further €2 million will go towards providing support for innovative technologies to monitor and/or combat marine litter in waters around the European Union. Furthermore, €3 million will go towards facilitating twinning projects in the Mediterranean Sea Basin, such as between maritime training and education institutes, businesses operating in the blue economy and local fishing communities. Finally, €1.5 million is to be allocated to restoring marine and coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean.

The launch of the Pacific – European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) programme, worth €45 million. Sweden announced that it will contribute €10 million to the programme. The purpose of the programme is to support sustainable management and development of fisheries for food security and economic growth, while addressing climate change resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity.

Work on accelerating Maritime/Marine Spatial Planning processes worldwide, in cooperation with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), as both committed to on 24 March 2017. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) works across borders and sectors to ensure human activities at sea take place in an efficient, safe and sustainable way. Building on the Joint Roadmap, the EU will provide a grant of €1.4 million to IOC-UNESCO to develop international guidelines for MSP. As part of this venture, two MSP pilot projects will be launched in early 2018: one in the Mediterranean and another in the South Pacific. Furthermore, an International Forum for MSP will be created to facilitate discussions on how MSP, including cross-sectoral actions, should be applied globally. The first workshop is to take place in spring 2018.

€23 million of investment in the marine environment monitoring service of its satellite monitoring programme (Copernicus) in 2017 and 2018. The service focuses on climate change, fisheries and marine protection. It was also announced that Copernicus will, for the first time, create Ocean Monitoring Indicators, including on biochemistry. These indicators, important for measuring ocean health, will be published in the Ocean State Report that will be available online by the end of 2018.

Its commitment to further progressing Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements with coastal states. These agreements already assist countries in the development of sustainable fisheries, the effective management of monitoring and control systems and the fight against IUU fishing. The new generation of agreements are to have a more integrated approach, including promoting a sustainable blue economy as well as advancing investment in the fisheries sector. This new approach should allow partner countries to gain more value from the ocean economy in a sustainable manner.

€8.5 million for the preservation of marine and coastal biodiversity in the Caribbean Sea Basin for the benefit of communities that depend on these ecosystems. This action targets in particular natural areas that are threatened by misuse, overexploitation, pollution and climate change effects.

Nearly €6 million to support projects in EU countries to set up cross-border cooperation on maritime spatial planning. Maritime spatial planning works across borders and sectors to ensure human activities at sea take place in an efficient, safe and sustainable way.

Financing to test the first wave and tidal array deployments in Europe in 2017 by contributing €1.5 million to support administrations and project developers involved in environmental monitoring.

Its intention to develop the Pilot Blue Science Cloud, which is to modernise the process of accessing, managing and using marine data, with the goal of improving the handling of large quantities of different marine and maritime data using cloud technologies. Furthermore, the Blue Cloud is intended to further foster work between EU scientists and their international partners. Cloud technologies can improve global and regional ocean observations and forecasting, as promoted in the framework of the G7 Future of the Sea and Oceans initiative and as part of the worldwide effort to build an improved Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

At least €1 million to support the World Bank’s Global Fisheries Programme (PROFISH). The aim of the programme is to improve environmental sustainability, human wellbeing and economic performance in the world’s fisheries and aquaculture, with a focus on the welfare of the poor in fisheries and fish farming communities in the developing world.

Climate change has very direct consequences for the oceans, with rising sea levels and increasing acidification among the most alarming. The European Union therefore announced:

A €10 million project with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) concerning climate change mitigation in the maritime shipping sector. The project aims to establish five Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres (MTCCs), one in each of the target regions – Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific – thereby forming a global network. The network’s task is to enable developing countries in these regions to develop energy-efficiency measures in maritime transport.

€1.5 million for reducing black carbon emissions in the Arctic. The project is intended to reinforce international cooperation to protect the Arctic environment.

€600,000 over the next two years for an integrated Arctic project focusing on the three priority areas of EU Arctic policy: Climate Change and Safeguarding the Arctic Environment; Sustainable Development in and around the Arctic; and International Cooperation on Arctic Issues.

Marine protection: Less than 5% of the world’s marine and coastal areas are currently protected by law, and even less is enforced – despite the UN’s 2020 target of 10% protection. The European Union therefore announced:

The European Commission announced the phase-out by end 2017 all single-use plastic cups in water fountains and vending machines in its buildings in Brussels*. It also committed to report on all its efforts towards a further reduction of the use of other single-use plastic items in all its buildings and events at the occasion of the 2018 Our Ocean Conference. Measures to achieve this will include improving its green public procurement, reducing single-use plastics in canteens and cafeterias, promoting use of tap water, launching a wider awareness-raising campaign for staff on waste reduction, sorting and recycling and greening Commission events.

€20 million to support the management of marine protected areas in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries through the programme BIOPAMA II (Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme).

Together with Germany, support for the establishment of a cross-sectoral and cross-boundary multi-stakeholder platform for regional ocean governance by 2020. This platform will be developed under the Partnership for Regional Ocean Governance (PROG), initiated in 2015 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales – IDDRI) and the Think Tank for Sustainability (TMG). The development of the platform has been announced by Germany as a voluntary commitment on the occasion of the UN Ocean Conference for their implementation of SDG14 (5-9 June 2017). The PROG forum will provide new knowledge on integrated ocean governance at three different levels: (1) within regions; (2) between regions; and (3) between the regional level and the global level. Building on a collaborative process with international partners in 2018, the European Union and Germany will organise the first meeting in 2019.

€1.5 million to analyse ecosystems and economic activity on the mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Rio Grande Rise, in order to support the definition of a coherent set of Areas of Particular Environmental Interest.

Its intention to support the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean in establishing a Fishing Restricted Area (FRA) of at least 2,700 km² to protect demersal stocks in the habitat recognised as essential nursery and spawning ground for a number of marine species outside territorial waters of Italy and Croatia of the Jabuka/Pomo Pit area of the Adriatic Sea. The creation of the Jabuka/Pomo Pit FRA will be for decision at the annual session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) on 16-19 October 2017.

Sustainable fisheries are a prerequisite for continued access to sufficient, nutritious seafood for coming generations. To ensure sustainable fisheries around the world, the EU announced:

€15 million under the PESCAO programme for the improvement of regional fisheries governance in Western Africa with the aim of developing a regional fishing policy, putting in place a regional coordination against illegal unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and improving fish stock management at regional level.

€5.7 million in 2017 to support the work of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) in improving the sustainability of fishing resources in the Mediterranean. This isa follow-up to the Medfish4Ever Declaration, a 10-year pledge to save the Mediterranean’s fish stocks and protect the region’s ecological and economic wealth that was signed on 30 March 2017.

A minimum of €1 million in 2017 for the FAO global programme to support the implementation of the landmark Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. The programme provides policy, legal and technical assistance and capacity-building to strengthen enforcement of the Agreement. Furthermore, the EU announced that it will host the international conference to assess and review the Port State Measures Agreement in 2020. Finally, the EU announced that it will contribute €225,000 in 2017 to FAO for the development of a global record that is to register fishing vessels, refrigerated transport vessels and supply vessels worldwide.

New rules that are expected to enter into force by the end of 2017 to better and more sustainably manage the external fishing fleet. The new rules will allow the European Union to better monitor and control its fleet and efficiently address the problems of reflagging and chartering, thus enhancing efforts to combat IUU fishing.

Its commitment to reaching a multilateral agreement on fisheries subsidies at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference that is to take place in Buenos Aires in December 2017. With this objective, the EU put forward a revised proposal in July 2017 at the World Trade Organisation to prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, to eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and to refrain from introducing new subsidies of this kind. The proposal, aimed at implementing SDG 14.6, also contains provisions on enhanced transparency and guidelines on special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries. Furthermore, the EU will do its utmost to further this agreement and to support it through the stages of negotiation and implementation.

Reference: europa.eu

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