UN adopts resolutions on coral reefs and marine biodiversity

RickMac -

The UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee [also known as the Economic and Financial Committee of the full Assembly] recently concluded its 65th session.  To my surprise, the UNGA adopted a resolution on coral reefs during the proceedings.  The Assembly made a few other references to the declining state of global ocean health in a much more substantive resolution on laws of the sea.  While certainly a step in the right direction, the resolutions appear to be heavy on hopeful language and light on commitments.

The first resolution, titled “Protection of Coral Reefs for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development,” was introduced by Australia (pdf available for download in multiple languages), and was adopted without a vote.

In the draft, the UNGA urges States to take all necessary steps to protect coral reefs while taking immediate and concerted global, regional and local action to respond to the challenges of climate change and ocean acidification. It also urges them to adopt and implement comprehensive and integrated approaches for managing and enhancing coral reefs and related ecosystems.

Noticeably absent from any of the language are hard targets, time lines, or anything remotely binding.  But on the heels of COP16 failing to deliver anything tangible with regard to binding agreements on greenhouse gas emissions, I suppose it’s folly to expect anything more than aspirational language.

Peter Thomson, speaking on behalf of Fiji and Pacific Small Island Developing States, welcomed the draft resolution, underlining that climate change and ocean acidification (ostensibly, two issues that directly linked to the COP16 discussions) are the greatest threats to coral reefs and affected most of the Group’s members.

However, Thomson was more critical of States backsliding on recent commitments on curbing ocean bottom trawling and shark finning.  While Parties had agreed that conservation and management of sharks should be enhanced last May, the current fisheries resolution “inexplicably” did not reflect the previously agreed upon language. 

Thomson called on nations to respect shark finning agreements reached earlier in 2010.  He was also alarmed that resolutions on ocean bottom fisheries were not being fully implemented, as UN studies had confirmed that bottom trawling had a more negative impact on the seafloor than all other major human activities combined.

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