|
But the stalling of the efforts to meet the objective of the Paris Agreement to keep global warming to 1.5°C was disappointing and is of particular concern for people in coastal zones. At an average temperature increase of more than 1°C they already suffer the consequences of sea level rise, more intensive storms, erosion, fish migrating out of the area or remaining smaller due to lower oxygen levels at higher temperatures and more.
In Nigeria, Mundus maris vice president Prof. Stella Williams participated in a special celebration of World Fisheries Day, 21 November, in Nigeria.
We welcome the decision at the last meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) to set, for the first time ever, catch limits and allocations for southern shortfin mako sharks. In the face of objections from South Africa and Namibia ICCAT fails, however, to agree to a complete retention ban proposed by the EU.
Throughout November preparation went ahead apace for more cooperation under the RISE UP for the Ocean Platform for better ocean protection and fair treatment of indigenous people and artisanal fishers, men and women.
The forthcoming COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, rescheduled in part 2 from 7 to 19 December in Montreal, Canada, needs to take bold decisions to halt massive biodiversity loss. Scientists warn of an on-going mass extinction potentially exceeding the last big one 66 million years ago. We advocate for international collaboration on an ambitious Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, including targeting 30 percent of lands and oceans conserved by 2030. Such protection should include collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, the original guardians of the land. To be successful and socially just, locating the much needed large protected areas should involve low impact small-scale fishers and farmers and safeguard their livelihoods while reducing public subsidies to harmful industrial fishing and farming.
|
