Sustainable Use of the Oceans
The importance of the oceans to human health and well-being cannot be overstated. Covering 70% of the planet, the oceans provide livelihoods and resources to more than 3 billion people. Blue foods – those that are harvested from oceans, rivers, and lakes – have the potential to help feed a population expected to reach 10 billion in 2050. Recognizing its significance, UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 is to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”
However, due to human activities, the oceans and the creatures who live in them are in peril. Unsustainable exploitation, climate change, and environmental degradation are immediate threats that require international collaboration and cooperation.
This presentation will look at key legal and policy issues relevant to the sustainable use of the oceans. The panel of experts will consider the current “state of the blue food industry” – from local economic impacts to international trade agreements. Presentations will include proposed laws and policies needed to create equitable and sustainable conditions for all global stakeholders; how science and technology can mitigate the environmental impacts of climate change, illegal fishing, overfishing, and pollution; and how to prevent the further loss of species that is impacting the biodiversity of the oceans.