Final Report on the Framework Agreement for 2008–2009

C1. Customized capacity building packages that respond to the needs of developing countries to integrate conservation and sustainable development of marine and coastal environments into national development planning.

C1. Capacity building is ongoing in at least 5 countries.

2008

• An initial meeting was held in February 2008, Arendal with UNEP and Norwegian key partners, including the Norwegian Institute for Marine Research and the Norwegian Directorate for Fisheries, to discuss the design and implementation of a project to build capacity for responsible and sustainable management of the marine environment. This resulted in a draft proposal for a Marine Environment Resource Information Network (MERIN). • Plans for a first workshop in May 2009 have been elaborated in collaboration with the Nairobi Convention focusing on the capacity building needs in at least 5 countries of the Western Indian Ocean. • Participated in the 4 th meeting of the UNEP-DTIE/WTO Sustainable Tourism Task Force in Costa Rica, 9-12 June 2008 and the CBD COP 9, 19 -30 May 2008 in Bonn, Germany and identified potential partners focusing on capacity for sustainable tourism and marine protected areas. This will be followed up through 2009. • The University of the Sea participated in two research cruises onboard the RV Sonne to the East Indian Ocean. A total of twelve students from the region participated in the 2, 4 week cruises that looked at benthic habitat mapping for the development of marine protected area, understanding the geological and geophysical setting for the development of a passive continental margin, and geophysical mapping for the identification of offshore ocean basins in regard to oil exploration. • Several meetings with marine and Coastal Ecosystem Branch (MCEB) of UNEP. Our capacity building initiative integrated with UNEP project document: “Integrated marine and coastal management frameworks with MPAs for human well-being”. • Workshop “Building Capacity for Ocean Management: Exploring the scope arranged in Arendal Thursday 20 august”. Participation from UNEP, GEF, Seychelles, Tanzania, Geoscience Australia, Institute for Marine Research and Norwegian Directorate for Fisheries. • Support SACEP/SAS in training midlevel government managers and policy makers in Ocean Management. GA contribution on the role of geosciences for ocean management. India 16-25 Sept. • The University of the Sea participated in a research cruise onboard the RV Sonne to the East Indian Ocean. Six students from the region participated in the month-long cruise that looked at benthic habitat mapping for the development of marine protected area, understanding the geological and geophysical setting for the development of a passive continental margin, and geophysical mapping for the identification of offshore ocean basins in regard to oil exploration. • A concept note on “Environmental governance and management of high seas biodiversity” has been prepared in collaboration with UNEP DEPI and UNEP DELC and has been submitted to the UNEP Project Approval Group (PAG) for consideration. Development of a full project proposal will depend on the PAG decision. • Participation in sessions concerning sustainable ecosystem based management in areas beyond national jurisdiction both at the Global Conference on Oceans Coasts and Islands, Hanoi and at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona to identify relevant contacts in the field for future consultations. - A review and assessment of gas hydrates initiated. Currently evaluating viability and interest of producing a publication on gas hydrates. Initial discussions held with the director of IFM-GEOMAR, currently engaged in research of gas hydrates in collaboration with the University of Bergen. A wider consultation with stakeholders will be conducted in early 2009, and funding options explored. - Discussions regarding a review and assessment of massive sulphide deposits were initiated in collaboration with Geoscience Australia and individual states. The viability and interest of producing a publication will be explored through consultations throughout 2009.

2009

C2. Guidelines on integrated ecosystem-based approaches to the management of the continental shelf and areas beyond national jurisdiction.

C2. Guidelines produced and disseminated.

2008

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