Introduction
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) depend on fisheries and aquaculture to sustain their economies and livelihood. Fisheries yield up to 10% of these countries total GDP. The question that comes is how best the states can be assisted to protect their source of livelihood and at the same time gain from it. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission lay down Criteria and Guidelines that would ensure proper transfer of marine technology to the SIDS and LDCs while adhering and achieving the sustainable development goal number 14a. This report aims to review different research that has been conducted on the influence of marine biodiversity sustaining the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines in small countries and least developed countries.
Methodology
The report shall adopt a literature review and a qualitative analysis design to review different secondary sources including published reports, journal articles and online publications. This approach will aim to establish the areas that these conducted research touch about the influence of marine biodiversity in realizing sustainable goal 14a.
The Influence of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
One area that has received much attention in research is the questions of whether the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission can advance governance of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Davies (2016) reasons that to realize the potential of the IOC in providing governance solutions for the area beyond national jurisdiction, there must be significant political will from member states. There is also a need to reduce resource constraints and enhance the IOC’s capacity at global and regional scales. As well Davies recommends that an improved marine scientific research is vital for achieving solutions in the development of a new internationally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity.
Global Ocean Observation
For proper conservation and sustainable use of the marine biodiversity, there is a need for global ocean observation. In recent research, Miloslavich et al., (2018) recommend an increase in human capacity to meet the demand for global ocean observation. A sustainable program on global ocean observation will be significant in understanding, recognizing, and managing changes in marine biodiversity, resources and habitats (Miloslavich et al., 2018). It will also assist in implementing proper conservation and sustainable development strategies (Miloslavich et al., 2018). Miloslavich et al., (2018) mainly looks at the networking relationship between the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) as coordinated by IOC in implementing proposed Essential Oceanic Variables relevant to the broader community and resource managers.
Global Ocean Observation Challenges
How then is global ocean observation genuinely possible? First, there need to build a network that is genuinely global such that all scientists from well-resourced countries will participate. Secondly, there is a need for new approaches for training and resource allocation to ensure the practical application of any principles of global observing networks (Miloslavich et al., 2018). Also, fulfilling international reporting obligations will help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14a (Miloslavich et al., 2018). Therefore, countries should develop research partnerships with IOC to address these obligations.
Perspective of Developing Countries
What is the perspective and opinion of the developing countries concerning goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals that requires nations to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources”? Concisely, goal 14a focuses on the relationship between marine technology, marine biodiversity and developing countries. It requires the SIDS and LDCs to increase scientific knowledge, expand research capacity and transfer marine technology while adhering to the IOC criteria and guidelines. The countries are supposed to do this with the aim of advancing the contribution of marine biodiversity to their development.
Challenges of Implementing SDG14
Siswandi (2016) reviews these questions and states that the perspective of the developing countries on the implementation of IOC guidelines and achieving goal 14a is that the international legal framework on marine genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction is fragmented and inadequate. They cannot address the challenges faced in producing foal 14. Specifically, Siswandi (2016) mentions in his research that the legal framework cannot aid the process of ensuring the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of countries, small island states and least developed countries.
Inter-state Obligations
Other research looks at the inter-state obligations towards increasing scientific knowledge, developing research capacity and transferring of marine technology according to SDG 14a and IOC guidelines. Morgera & Ntona (2018) gives a challenge of reflection on the possible opportunities that arise from a supportive interpretation of different international law instruments about the implementation of SDG14.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is limited research on the influence of marine biodiversity in sustaining the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines in small countries and least developed countries. The present and reviewed research touch on the issues of global ocean observation to putting more efforts to realize positive results. The opinion and role of the developing countries and small island countries in achieving SDG 14 and operating within the IOC guidelines is also center stage in the present research. Other studies have questioned the ability of IOC to advance governance beyond national jurisdiction for the sake of proper conservation and sustainable use of the marine biodiversity.
References
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H. Harden-Davies, (2016). 'Marine science and technology transfer: can the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission advance governance of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction?' 74 Marine Policy 260-267.
Morgera, E., & Ntona, M. (2018). Linking small-scale fisheries to international obligations on marine technology transfer. Marine Policy, 93, 295-306. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2017.07.021
Miloslavich, P., Seeyave, S., Muller-Karger, F., Bax, N., Ali, E., & Delgado, C. et al. (2018). Challenges for global ocean observation: the need for increased human capacity. Journal of Operational Oceanography, 1-20. doi: 10.1080/1755876x.2018.1526463
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Siswandi, A. Marine Genetic Resources beyond National Jurisdiction and Sustainable Development Goals: The Perspective of Developing Countries. The Marine Environment and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, 194-226. doi: 10.1163/9789004366619_014
Sustainable Development Goal 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development | Nairobi Convention. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.unenvironment.org/nairobiconvention/sustainable-development-goal-14-conserve-and-sustainably-use-oceans-seas-and-marine-resources
The Sustainable Development Goals for the Ocean, Part 3. (2018). Retrieved from https://chooseyourcurrent.org/2017/06/the-sustainable-development-goals-for-the-ocean-part-3/
