Planèt'eau > Oceans > 4 - Collective solutions to protect oceans

4 - Collective solutions to protect oceans

The marine environment has never before been under such heavy pressure. Pollution, habitat destruction, unsustainable fishing, tourism development, oil and gas extraction, shipping, aquaculture, and climate change are all taking their toll on marine habitats, marine species - and fishers too.

The world's leaders have already recognized the problem. In 2002 they agreed, at the World Summit for Sustainable Development, to create representative networks of Marine Protected Areas by 2012 and replenish depleted fish stocks by 2015. In 2003, G8 leaders noted that global sustainable development and poverty reduction require healthier and more sustainably managed oceans and seas.

We can turn the tide towards healthy oceans by :

4.a - Making fishing sustainable

We are working for healthy and well-managed fisheries, as well as for fishing practices that no longer negatively impact on marine habitats and other marine species. The goal is to stop overfishing and ensure that all exploitation of fish stocks is sustainable by 2020.

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4.b - Improving the protection of marine habitats

We aim to establish a network of ecologically representative, well-managed Marine Protected Areas covering at least 10% of the world's oceans by 2020.

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4.c - Limiting damage from human activities

We aim that policies to protect sensitive marine habitats and species from tourism, shipping, oil and gas development, and aquaculture are put in place by 2007.

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4.d - Mitigating the effects of climate change

We aim that policies to protect sensitive marine habitats and species from climate change are put in place by 2007.

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