Experts tackle marine management systemic challenges to improve ocean health

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- Marine protected areas (MPAs) are key tools for reducing threats to biodiversity, safeguarding marine and coastal habitats, building climate solutions, and supporting human needs through sustainable use.

By 2030, The Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework may include an ambitious target of expanding MPA coverage to 30 percent. Nevertheless, less than three per cent of marine protected areas are meeting their objectives in the face of accelerating local and global threats.

To tackle this challenge, a team of experts is convening at the United Nations Oceans Conference in June 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal in a side event entitled, ‘Quality Matters: Enhancing Governance, Effective Management and Resilience of Marine Protected Areas for Multiple Co-benefits’.

The event includes speakers from the private sector, local marine science agencies, representatives from non-profit organisations, governments, and intergovernmental organisations.

Dr Lizzie McLeod, Global Reefs Lead for The Nature Conservancy notes: “Strong partnerships including the private sector, governments, NGOs, researchers, and local communities are essential to improving ocean health.”

Building on this event, the United Nations Environment Programme, The Nature Conservancy, and other conservation partners, with support from Mary Kay Inc are developing a suite of decision support tools for marine managers that improve marine management, support the sustainable financing of marine protected areas, and guide marine habitat restoration building on best practices worldwide.

"Mary Kay is delighted to support TNC, in collaboration with UNEP and other experts from around the world, in an effort to protect our world's most precious assets: oceans," said Deborah Gibbins, Mary Kay Chief Operating Officer in a statement.

"These organisations are on the frontlines of the fight to preserve our waterways, and we're hopeful that with Mary Kay's support, they'll have the tools and resources needed to ensure our oceans are healthy for generations to come.

As governments refine their conservation targets, it is timely to highlight new innovations and technologies that help countries meet global biodiversity and sustainable development goals.

-- BERNAMA