Stakeholder Forum has produced a 'Summary of targets from proposals in the SDGs e-Inventory under the OWG’s 19 Focus Areas'. A section is devoted to targets and indicators related to oceans and seas.

Summary of targets from proposals in the SDGs e-Inventory under the OWG’s 19 Focus Areas
Putting stakeholders at the core of post-Rio+20 processes

Today, islands are faced with various conservation and management challenges due to local environmental problems and global change. In particular global climate change and its associated effects have raised the plight of small islands as a matter of international concern.

This Policy Proposal reflects the results of a 3 year international research program undertaken by the Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF), the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) at the University of Wollongong and their contributing technical partners, followed by a second phase of the research undertaken by OPRF, ANCORS and their contributing technical partners.

This proposal includes
2. Priority Issues and Directions toward Solution
2-1. On Conservation and Management of Islands
a. Development of Island Management Strategies
b. Increased Safety and Resilience of Island Communities
c. Implementation of Waste Management
d. Development of Renewable Energy
e. Conservation of Coral Reefs and Mangrove Forests
2-2. Management of the Surrounding Ocean Areas
a. Establishment of Baselines and Maritime Limits
b. Implementation of Practical Fisheries Management Policies
c. Maintenance and Securing of Shipping Services
d. Exploitation of Marine Mineral Resources and Preservation of Marine Environment
e. Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Marine Environment and Marine Biodiversity
2-3. Response to Climate Change and Variability
a. Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability by Island Societies
b. Response to International Law Issues Related to Climate Change
3. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening
4. Suggestions for Responding to the Challenges
5. Toward Realization of This Policy Proposal

The research and recommendations are focused on the characteristics of islands, acknowledging islands and their surrounding ocean as unified areas and considering how to conserve and manage them. The results are being shared to support discussion on the Third International Conference on SIDS in 2014 as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, in the hopes of fostering sustainable development of island societies and the exploitation and conservation of the ocean through cooperation and collaboration between island States and the international community.

1111_5130_For The Better Conservation and Management of Islands and Their Surrounding Ocean Areas (OPRF ANCORS).pdf

This paper provides the perspective of the Global Ocean Forum regarding a stand-alone sustainable development goal on oceans and seas (SDG on Oceans and Seas). This paper also serves as an initial contribution to the development of a position paper on an SDG on oceans and seas of the Oceans and Seas Cluster of the UN Major Groups. Prepared with input from ocean leaders in the Global Ocean Forum network in 110 countries, this proposal was presented for consideration at the 8th Session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, 3-7 February 2014. The proposal will be further discussed with government leaders, civil society, and the private sector, and will be revised and enhanced for input into the continuing SDG process.

1111_5170_GOF Proposal for SDG on Oceans and Seas February 11 2014.pdf

The following recommendations on oceans and seas have been compiled from two civil society consultations conducted by UN-NGLS in 2013-2014: a teleconference-based consultation that resulted in the report Advancing Regional Recommendations on the Post-2015 Agenda, and an online consultation on four post-2015 reports to the Secretary-General. A list of organizations that participated in these consultations is available here. This policy brief also draws on position papers developed for the OWG on SDGs by the Women’s Major Group, the High Seas Alliance and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, WWF International, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

1111_3099_UN-NGLS Brief for OWG on SDGs-OceanSeas-Feb 2014.pdf

In order to inform the deliberations of the Eighth Session of the UN General Assembly Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Stakeholder Forum has conducted an analysis of the proposals currently housed within the SDGs e-Inventory which relate to the thematic areas of the meeting, including oceans and seas

The establishment of a specific and focused SDG Ocean and Coasts, although legally non-binding, would be beneficial in giving a new impetus to international cooperation and negotiations required to protect the marine environment and promote the sustainable use of marine resources in a way that meet the needs of present and future generations.

1111_5040_SDG for the Ocean and Coast.pdf

At the Future Ocean Kiel cluster of excellent natural and social scientist from a broad range of disciplines collaborate on issue concerning the future of the ocean and coasts. As subgroup has discussed and advanced the importance of having a focussed SDG for the ocean. A paper has been written and is under revision at Marine Policy.

1111_3219_Visbecketal_Submission.pdf

International trade shapes our use of marine resources. Enabling fisheries to continue to play their crucial role in sustainable development will require careful and coherent policy frameworks, including resource management and trade policies. This paper sets out relevant ICTSD research on how aspects of trade policy can support sustainable marine resource management.

1111_1953_ICTSD Input paper - Oceans.pdf

Marine and coastal ecosystems play a central role in the global natural environment and its biodiversity. At the same time, they have been an integral part of human civilization as a food source, natural resource supplier, and employment source. Despite their vital importance, their protection as well as their role in development politics has thus far been disregarded. For instance, artisanal fisheries play a crucial role in regional food security in the south, yet they are threatened by coastal development, privatization of fishing licenses, competition with industrial trawlers and long-distance fishing fleets, and overfishing of many commercially exploited fish populations. In addition, pollution and acidification of the oceans is steadily increasing, as is climate change’s negative impact on many marine areas. Since there are few international agreements concerning marine policy, many marine targets must be addressed by the Post-2015 Agenda.
We call for
 By 2020, a new orientation of global fisheries policies towards the implementation of sustainable fisheries through “maximum sustainable yield” regulations that take the precautionary principle and ecosystem approaches into account; the reduction of harmful fisheries subsidies; and stock management at least 20% below the “maximum sustainable yield” by 2030.

 By 2030, the implementation of selective fishing methods, the broad landing of by-catch in a useable form; the reduction of by-catch in allocated quota as well as the implementation of regulations that allow only by-catch unfit for human consumption to be used in the production of fishmeal and fish oil; the control of illegal fisheries; and an immediate ban on deep sea and bottom trawls.

 By 2020, a ban on patenting of marine species and the declaration of marine genetic material as a common good.

 By 2025, the introduction of a participatory and transparent spatial planning for the sea and coasts that engages regional committees, civil society, and affected artisanal fishery folk in particular; and the establishment of regional institutions that fairly shape policy processes, thereby taking into account traditional use forms, by 2020.

 By 2020, the establishment of zones reserved for artisanal fishery within all Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) that are at least 12 nautical miles and whose selection, fishery methods and catch quotas are agreed upon through a transparent and participatory approach.

 By 2020, the development of independent capacities in the global south; the reduction of global over-capacities; as well as the establishment of comprehensive Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.

 By 2020, at least 10% of coastal and marine areas are established as protected areas in accordance with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Strategic Plan. By 2030, this is transparently and scientifically expanded to 20% with a hierarchical zoning within the areas. The zoning should reflect an efficient and sufficiently funded management based on participatory and fair principles, respect for the rights of local communities and other affected stakeholders, as well as conservation regulations.

 By 2020, a reduction of marine waste pollution by 50%; a reduction of nutrient contamination by 50% compared to levels from 1985 ; and a ban on heavy fuel oil in shipping.

 By 2025, a significant reduction of the processes, particularly due to climate change, causing marine acidification; and by 2030, an absolute stop of its harmful impacts, with the guideline that the pH of surface waters in any larger ocean region (nor in the global mean) should not drop more than 0.2 units below the pre-industrial average value.

 By 2030, a moratorium on ore mining in the deep sea with only select few trials supervised by the International Seabed Authority allowed and an appropriate framework implemented until then.

 By 2020, a ban on the extraction of energy resources from the deep sea and the arctic; by 2025, a complete stop of deep sea and arctic oil exploration; and an immediate ban on methane extraction and on CO2 sequestration in the deep sea.

1111_1076_The Ecological Dimension in the Post-2015 Agenda_German NGO Forum on Environment and Development.pdf

The Global Ocean Commission (www.globaloceancommission.org) would like to draw your attention to a series of papers (see below and at http://www.globaloceancommission.org/policies/) which the Global Ocean Commission has drafted as background to the Commissioners’ deliberations. In particular the one entitled 'A Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for the global ocean'.

On the Global Ocean Commission website, you will find brief summaries (in English, Español, 中文,日本語, Français, Pусский and العربية) of the issues relating to each area, and you can also download the background papers themselves (in English only). Alternatively you can download all of the papers in one file. At the bottom of each of the summary webpages you will find a box for your comments and any discussion you would like to initiate.

1. A Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for the global ocean
2. Climate change, ocean acidification and geo-engineering
3. Elimination of marine pollution affecting the high seas
4. Bioprospecting and marine genetic resources
5. Deep seabed mining
6. Eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies
7. MPAs: protecting high seas biodiversity
8. Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
9. Reform of high seas fisheries management
10. Modernising ocean governance

The Global Ocean Commission would encourage you to circulate this notice to colleagues and any interested parties. Any other ideas and thoughts are welcome and these can be sent to ideas@globaloceancommission.org.

1111_4063_GOC-paper01-Ocean-SDG.pdf