SDG 14: Global Achievements,Challenges and Pakistan’s Progress in Marine Conservation.
SDG 14: Life Below Water
Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Oceans are essential for human well-being, providing key ecosystem services like food, climate regulation, and biodiversity. SDG 14 aims to reduce marine pollution, protect ecosystems, manage fisheries, and increase oceanic conservation efforts.
Key Points of SDG 14:
1. Reduce marine pollution by 2025, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution. Some studies estimate that 1–1.7 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, while others estimate that it could be as much as 8 million tonnes.
2. End overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and destructive fishing practices. Implement science-based management plans to restore fish stocks.Over 40% of the world’s illegal fishing happens off the coast of Western Africa where boats, mainly from Asia & Europe, go to steal fish.
3.According to current data, only around 2.9% of the world’s ocean is considered to be “highly protected” through marine protected areas (MPAs), while approximately 8% is covered by some form of marine protection overal.The goal is to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. This is part of the 30×30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. The initiative is based on the idea that protecting nature is essential to addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.
4.Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels.Seawater pH has decreased from 8.11 in 1985 to 8.05 in 2021. Ocean acidification has impacts on marine organisms with its effects cascading throughout the food web, modifying ecosystem services like fisheries
5.Increase the economic benefits from the sustainable use of marine resources for developing countries, particularly SIDS, through activities like sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism.Tourism can be a major economic sector for SIDS, contributing up to 30% of their GDP. However, tourism can be vulnerable to extreme weather events, and SIDS need to develop resilient tourism infrastructure and climate adaptation strategies.
6.Promote and facilitate access to marine technology, enhancing the capacity of developing nations to sustainably manage marine resources.Marine technology transfer is the process of sharing information, equipment, and expertise related to marine science and technology. It’s a key part of the BBNJ(Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) Treaty, which aims to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. The transfer of marine technology includes:
(A).Information and data: Sharing information, data, and knowledge
(B)Sharing sampling and methodology equipment, observation facilities, and computer software
(C)Sharing knowledge, skills, and technical, scientific, and legal know-how
(D).Providing scientific training and education
7. Ensure the conservation and sustainable use of oceans by strengthening legal frameworks, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an international agreement that establishes the legal framework for the world’s oceans and seas. It’s also known as “The Law of the Sea Convention.
Global Achievements:
1. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs):
By 2020, approximately 7.5% of the world’s oceans were under protection, falling short of the 10% target but still a substantial improvement from earlier years.The goal is to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
2.Ocean Pollution Reduction:
Efforts to reduce plastic pollution have gained global momentum, with over 60 countries implementing bans or restrictions on single-use plastics.
3.Sustainable Fisheries:
Countries are increasingly adopting sustainable fisheries management practices, with some success in restoring overfished stocks. Global partnerships like the Global Fishing Watch promote transparency in fishing activities.
4.Scientific Advancements:
Increased global attention to ocean acidification and its impacts on marine biodiversity has led to significant scientific research, providing better data to mitigate these challenges.
5.Global Initiatives and Treaties:
Initiatives like the Paris Agreement, High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, and regional conventions such as the Barcelona Convention for the Mediterranean have been implemented to manage and protect oceans globally.
Global Challenges:
Overfishing:
Approximately 34% of global fish stocks are overfished, and efforts to rebuild stocks are slow, particularly in regions lacking adequate management and enforcement.
Plastic and Chemical Pollution:
An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year, leading to massive “garbage patches” and negatively impacting marine life.
Ocean Acidification: Increased CO2 emissions have made oceans 30% more acidic than pre-industrial levels, threatening coral reefs and other marine species.
Marine Ecosystem Degradation:
Mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs are in significant decline globally, diminishing their capacity to support biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.
Lack of Compliance with International Laws: While frameworks like UNCLOS exist, enforcement and compliance are still major issues, particularly in unregulated areas of the high seas.
Pakistan’s Achievements and Challenges:
Achievements:
Mangrove Restoration: Pakistan has made significant strides in mangrove restoration, particularly in the Sindh and Balochistan coastal regions. The Mangrove for the Future (MFF) initiative and efforts by the Sindh Forest Department have increased mangrove cover along the coastline.
Fishing Industry Reforms: Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments are collaborating to improve the regulation of fisheries, reducing illegal fishing practices, and promoting sustainable methods.
Marine Conservation Initiatives: The country has been working with international partners to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in places like Astola Island, which became Pakistan’s first designated MPA in 2017.
Climate Change Adaptation: Pakistan’s efforts to adapt to climate change through policies like the National Climate Change Policy and the Pakistan Climate Change Act emphasize marine conservation, helping safeguard marine ecosystems.
Challenges:
Overfishing and IUU Fishing: Pakistan’s fishing sector faces challenges from overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The lack of strict enforcement and weak regulatory frameworks exacerbate this problem.
Marine Pollution: The Karachi coastline, one of the most urbanized regions in Pakistan, suffers from significant marine pollution due to untreated wastewater and industrial discharges. This pollution threatens marine life and coastal communities.
Lack of Research and Data: There is limited scientific research and data collection on Pakistan’s marine ecosystems. This lack of information makes it difficult to design effective policies and interventions.
Climate Vulnerability: Pakistan’s coastal areas, particularly Sindh and Balochistan, are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and increased salinity, which threaten local livelihoods and biodiversity.
Weak Governance and Law Enforcement: The fragmentation of authority between federal and provincial governments hampers the effective implementation of marine conservation policies.
Conclusion:
While global efforts under SDG 14 have made considerable strides in protecting and conserving marine resources, significant challenges remain. Overfishing, marine pollution, ocean acidification, and weak governance structures are pressing global concerns that require more urgent and coordinated action. Pakistan, like many developing nations, faces considerable challenges in managing its coastal and marine resources. However, its progress in areas such as mangrove restoration and climate change adaptation shows a commitment to addressing these issues.
Achieving SDG 14 by 2030 will require stronger international collaboration, enhanced law enforcement, improved technological access, and a shift toward sustainable practices globally. For Pakistan, overcoming its marine conservation challenges will necessitate better governance, stricter regulations on fisheries, and a stronger commitment to tackling marine pollution. As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, Pakistan’s long-term economic and ecological stability depend on sustainable management of its marine resources