Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects Chile Workshop 13 – 15 September Questions to be answered by the First Integrated Assessment

UNGA endorsed in resolution 64/71, and reaffirmed in resolution 65/37, the recommendations of the AHWGW that the output of the first cycle of the Regular Process (by 2014) should be:  an integrated assessment of the oceans  agreed priority cross-cutting thematic issues such as food security  a baseline for future global assessments. Remit Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

I.Summary for decision-makers II.The Context of the Assessment III.Ecosystem Services IV.Cross-cutting question – food security V.Other human activities VI.Biodiversity and habitats VII.Overall evaluations Proposed Outline Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

1.Planet, oceans and life - a broad, introductory survey of the role played by the oceans and seas in the life of the planet, the way in which they function, and humans’ relationships to them. 2.Mandate, information sources, and method of work II. The Context of the Assessment Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

I Hydrological cycle –sea level, salinity, nutrients, heat transport Sea/air interaction –air quality, meteorological events, acidification Primary production –distribution, causes and effects, surface layer Aesthetic, religious and spiritual ecosystem services Scientific understanding and conclusion III. Ocean services Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

Identified by AHWGW as a possible cross- cutting issue Oceans and seas as source of food Capture fisheries Aquaculture Seaweeds and other sea-based food Social and economic aspects of fisheries Conclusions IV. Food security Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

Which activities to examine? 1.Is the activity important for the world’s economies or for human society? 2.Could the activity threaten marine ecologies? IV. Human Activities Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

For each of 15 activities, look at –location and scale of impacts, –employment and economic and social role –environmental threats, –links to other activities, –capacity-building needs –(extent of discussion of policy aspects and management still to be settled) Human activities – what to look at? Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

ShippingSolid waste disposal PortsMarine debris Submarine cables & pipelinesPhysical changes Land-based inputsTourism& recreation Offshore hydrocarbon industries Other marine-based energy Offshore miningDesalinization Use of Genetic resourcesScientific research Defence The 15 activities Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

Not feasible to look at everything Overall assessment of biodiversity Survey of issues judged to need special treatment VI. Biodiversity and Habitats Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

Main gradients of diversity for species, communities and habitats (coastal to abyssal, equatorial to polar, substrate type, salinity). Extent of assessment of marine biological diversity Overall status of major groups of species and habitats (Summary, by major group and marine region, of the status, trends and threats, including the cumulative effects of pressures) Overall assessment of biodiversity Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

Ecologically and Biologically Sensitive Areas (EBSAs) and Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) Other species and habitats identified by a competent authority as needing protection Aspects identified for special protection Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

Inter-regional migratory species (Bonn Convention) Regional conventions (Marine mammals) Action under regional seas programmes National action “Other species and habitats” Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects

What can we say about the overall human impact on the seas? –baseline for comparison in future Assessments How do we value the benefits from the oceans and seas for humans? –baseline for comparison in future Assessments VII. Overall evaluations Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects