INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE Flashcards
(20 cards)
how much f the ocean is international seas beyond the control of any one country (global commons )
64%
main idea that leads to overuse and environmental harm
“tragedy of the commons” - “If I don’t take it, someone else will”
5 Key International Organizations for ocean governance
(under the UN)
ISA – International Seabed Authority
UNGA – United Nations General Assembly
UN FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization
UNEP – United Nations Environmental Programme
IOC – Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
what is ISA
International Seabed Authority
- Governs mining of the deep seabed (called “the Area”)
- Focused on resources beyond national jurisdiction (outside EEZs)
- Require Environmental Impact Statements (EISs)
- provide leases to countries for seafloor mining
- Prevent pollution, protect and conserve natural resources, prevent damage to marine env
what is UNGA
United Nations General Assembly
- Key political forum where descisions are made
what is UN FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization
- Focuses on fisheries and aquaculture.
- Goal = promote conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources
- codes of conduct: Promote sustainable fishing, Conserve sharks, Reduce overfishing and bycatch
- all fishing is reported to these - central source of data
- Issues the annual State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) report
what is UNEP
United Nations Environmental Programme
- Works on conservation and sustainable use of ocean
- more research- and policy-based than enforcement
what is IOC
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
- part of UNESCO
- Focus on Research and development to build foundation for decisions - don’t set actual regulations
5 Key International Regulations & Agreements for ocean governance
UNCLOS III - UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
UNFSA - UN Fish Stocks Agreement
CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity
CMS - Convention on Migratory Species
Regional Seas Program
RFMOs – Regional Fisheries Management Organizations
what is UNCLOS III
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
- Established maritime zonation (like territorial sea, EEZ, high seas)
- governs protections in marine areas
what is UNFSA
UN Fish Stocks Agreement
- Focus: Straddling & highly migratory fish stocks (species that cross EEZ boundaries)
- Requires countries to join Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs)
- Precautionary Approach
- Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM)
- Goals: Long-term sustainability, Minimize bycatch & ecosystem impact, Protect vulnerable habitats, Ban destructive practices like TRAWLING
what is CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity
- declared biodiversity is a “common concern of all mankind.”
- 3 Main Objectives: Conserve biodiversity, Sustainable use of its components, Fair sharing of benefits
- In ABNJ (Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction): Don’t harm the environment of other nations or the ABNJ itself + Must cooperate internationally for sustainable use & conservation
what is CMS
Convention on Migratory Species
- Requires “range states” (where the species travel) to
protect migratory species & their habitats
- Overseen by UNEP (Appendix I: Endangered – full protection + Appendix II: Species that benefit from international cooperation)
- Agreements = legally binding
- Memorandums of understanding (MoUs) – less formal agreement
what is RFMOs
Regional Fisheries Management Organizations
- Created under FAO + UNFSA
- manage specific fish stocks in specific regions
- Binding agreements
- Limiting bycatch, Reducing habitat damage, Managing specific species
what is regional seas program and examples
- led by UNEP + FAO
- Example: Antarctic Treaty System, CCAMLR – Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (focus on Ecosystem-based conservation in Antarctic waters)
NGOs vs. IGOs
- NGO = Non-Governmental Org - Independent, nonprofit, often advocacy-focused e.g. WWF
- IGO = Intergovernmental Org - Created by treaty between countries, has regulatory power e.g. ISA
Strengths / Core Themes of International Conventions
- Include obligations to conserve and protect biodiversity
- Preserve env + habs
- Pollution legislation
- Cooperation among nations to achieve goals
Weaknesses of International Conventions
- Implementation gap - countries may sign treaties but fail to enforce
- Governance gap - not enough coordination between nations or agencies
- Low ratification - Some countries never ratify (legally adopt) treaties
how has technology helped
Satellite Tracking (AIS)
- can identify location signals of ships to track illegal activity
2 International Conventions not associated with UN
- IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature: provides status of the natural world using lists
- CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species: ensures wildlife trade doesn’t threaten species survival
