2. Coastal Zone Management

Abstract

The thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the CBD met in Cancun, Mexico, on 4–17 December 2016. Several decisions from this meeting have importance for coastal management efforts (<https://www.cbd.int/decisions/cop/?m=cop-13>). Decision XIII/4 on Biodiversity and Climate Change recognized the importance of marine protected areas, coastal resource management, and marine spatial planning in protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, communities, and infrastructure and enhancing their resilience against climate change impacts. Decision XIII/5 on Ecosystem Restoration encouraged governments and relevant organizations to consider ecosystem restoration in marine and coastal ecosystem to ensure environmental sustainability. Decision XIII/9 on Marine Spatial Planning encouraged governments and relevant organizations to apply marine spatial planning to marine and coastal areas within their jurisdiction with the full participation of local communities. This decision noted the close linkages between marine spatial planning and marine and coastal area management, marine protected areas, pollution management, fisheries management, and environmental impact assessments. Through this decision, the contracting parties invited international organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the International Maritime Organization, and the regional seas programs to support national efforts to adopt marine spatial planning. Decision XIII/10 on Addressing Impacts of Marine Debris and Underwater Anthropogenic Noise on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity stressed that the contracting parties, international organizations, governments, industries, all stakeholders, and local communities must take appropriate measures to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts of marine debris on marine and coastal biodiversity and habitats. This decision suggests that consideration be given to extending responsibility for responding to damages to marine and coastal biodiversity and habitats to the producers of marine debris. Decision XIII/12 on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity: Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas encouraged the CBD Secretariat to continue supporting and funding regional efforts to designate ecologically or biologically significant areas.