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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. NOWPAP Progress
1.1 Need for harmonized approach to tackle microplastics threat to Northwest Pacific seas
1.2 NOWPAP-TEMM Workshop on Marine Litter Management held in Busan
1.3 School children team up with UN and NGOs to clean up Busan beach on World Environment Day
1.4 Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Forum
1.5 Meeting of the Northwest Pacific Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) Focal Points
1.6 UN Environment study reveals more endangered species in Northwest Pacific region
1.7 Northwest Pacific nations act to protect their rich marine and coastal fauna and flora
1.8 University students clear litter from Russky Island off Vladivostok on World Environment Day
1.9 Marine Litter artworks exhibition opened in Toyama
2. Partnership Building
2.1 NOWPAP contributes to the development of "Seoul Outcome Plus 2" at the Convention of Biological Diversity meeting in Seoul
2.2 NOWPAP addresses regional workshop on inter-Korean cooperation in Seoul
2.3 NOWPAP discusses potential cooperation with the Secretariat of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat
2.4 NOWPAP explains its role in promoting 2030 Agenda to Korean marine scientists
2.5 Visit from Korean Consulate General in Niigata
2.6 NOWPAP RCU explores areas of cooperation with Busan Metropolitan City
2.7 RCU calls on the President of the Republic of Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science
3. MARINE NEWS DIGEST
4. Contact Us
5. Credits
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1. NOWPAP PROGRESS
1.1 Need for harmonized approach to tackle microplastics threat to Northwest Pacific seas
Busan, Republic of Korea, June 2018 – The growing threat to Northwest Pacific seas from difficult-to-measure microplastics requires closer coordination among experts engaged in evaluating the dangers these pose to the marine environment, participants at a United Nations-sponsored scientific forum here have concluded.
Experts from Japan, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation attending the Expert Meeting of the NOWPAP special project: “Monitoring and Assessment Methods for Microplastics pollution” emphasized the need to harmonize standards and methods used for measuring and monitoring microplastics pollution.
The 03 June meeting was convened under the Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP), a part of the four-decade-old Regional Seas Programme of UN Environment that works to prevent and reverse the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas.
Ranging from 5 mm to nano proportions, microplastics are produced from fragmentation of larger plastic fragments, but also are used in personal care and cosmetic products as well as in pre-production plastic resin pellets. They are increasingly contaminating the world’s seas and oceans, posing a serious threat to the marine environment and marine biodiversity as well as human health by entering food chains.
There is growing scientific evidence linking microplastics to persistent chemicals such as the pesticide DDT and toxic PCBs. Research shows these are adsorbed or embedded during production of plastics and present not only on ocean surfaces but even in deep-sea sediments. An assessment by the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology found the world’s highest concentration of microplastics in the East Asian seas in the Northwest Pacific region at 1.7 million pieces per square km, about 27 times the global average making the region a global “microplastics hot-spot”.
The Expert Meeting also discussed further development of the NOWPAP Special Project ‘Monitoring and assessment methods for microplastics pollution’ which will be implemented during 2019-2022.
It was agreed that the Special Project would use existing microplastics monitoring criteria in NOWPAP countries and later develop a harmonized regional approach for microplastics pollution monitoring. Existing eco-toxicological studies of the impact of microplastics on the environment would be used to support development of a common regional approach to microplastics ecological risk assessment.
Monitoring of microplastics pollution would be carried out in selected sites in the NOWPAP region and a plan prepared for a regional programme for microplastics assessment and monitoring.
The recommendations of the Expert Meeting on the focus of the special project were later endorsed by the 2018 Northwest Pacific Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) Meeting held on 5-6 June in Busan. The proposed Special Project will be reviewed by NOWPAP member countries at the 23rd NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting (IGM) scheduled in Moscow, Russian Federation in October 2018.
Addressing the threat to the marine and coastal environment from microplastics is a priority of the NOWPAP Medium-term Strategy (MTS) 2018-2023. The MTS aims to support scientific evidence-based policymaking in NOWPAP member countries to protect the marine and coastal environment for present and future generations, a key goal of the global 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
1.2 NOWPAP-TEMM Workshop on Marine Litter Management held in Busan
The NOWPAP- Tripartite Environmental Ministers Meeting (TEMM) Joint Workshop on Marine Litter Management, held in Busan’s Hotel Homers was jointly organized by NOWPAP and OSEAN with support from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the Korea Environment Management Corporation and the Busan Metropolitan City Government.
The workshop began with presentations on progress in dealing with marine litter in Japan, People’s Republic of China and Republic of Korea.
Dr. QingJia MENG, Associate Professor, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, made a presentation on progress in addressing marine litter in China.
Dr. Kanako SATO, Deputy Director, Ministry of Environment, Japan briefed workshop on progress in addressing marine litter in Japan, including Ministry of Environment-supported pilot project to estimate the “sampling error” by conducting simultaneous/parallel net-samplings of microplastics in different laboratories, including in four NOWPAP member states.
Mr. Woo Rak SUH of the Korea Marine Environment Corporation (KOEM) briefed the workshop on progress in addressing marine litter in the Republic of Korea, including the development of the “3rd National Marine Litter Management Plan (2019-2023)”, enforcement of marine litter-related policies and the establishment of management foundation for marine litter led by local stakeholders.
Mr. Nikolai KOZLOVSKII of NOWPAP POMRAC made a presentation on entitled “Rivers as a source of microplastic contamination of the marine environment. Current studies in the Russian Far East”. The study indicates that microplastics in the Russian coastal areas of the Far East originate in summer recreational litter, transboundary litter input with river runoff from land and fisheries and aquaculture, and litter from untreated local wastewater and municipal solid waste.
Dr. Sergey MONINETS, Director, Sea Protection Institute, Maritime State University, Russian Federation, made a presentation titled Results of the Year of Ecology in the Russian Federation. Central and local government’s efforts and concluded that marine pollution and marine litter is not seen as a high priority in the country in general.
A special session was devoted to the challenges of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in fisheries and aquaculture with a video presentation by Joanna Toole of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on the development of best practice measures to reduce ALDFG and its impacts at the global level. The FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) will consider the adoption of International Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear at its 9-13 July 2018 session at FAO headquarters in Rome.
Presentations were also made by Dr. Sunwook Hong, President of OSEAN on the findings of the 10-year Korea Marine Debris Monitoring Program on derelict fishing gears, and by Ms. Daria ZADOYA of the Maritime State University on Assessment of the risks of marine pollution from the fishing industry in the Russian Federation.
Dr. Lev Neretin of NOWPAP RCU, briefed the workshop on UN Environment response to marine litter since the last NOWPAP-TEMM Workshop in 2017, including progress of activities of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML), the #CleanSeas Campaign and other activities, and the follow up to UN Environment Assembly (UNEA)-3 Resolutions.
Mr. Zhengguang ZHU of the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) Project, introduced the YSLME Phase II Project titled “UNDP/GEF Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem: Restoring the Ecosystem Goods and Services and Consolidation of A Long-term Regional Environmental Governance Framework”.
Dr. Peter KERSHAW of GESAMP, made an online presentation on “Fisheries and aquaculture – an overlooked sector in the marine litter challenge?” which highlighted the costs of ALDFG to fisheries.
Ms. Marina SAKAI and Ms. Wandi HUANG of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) made a presentation titled “Promoting China-Japan-Korea Cooperation: Environment and Sustainable Development”.
Mr. Sang Soon MYUNG, Deputy Director, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), Republic of Korea, reported on progress in cooperation on marine litter within the TEMM framework.
Dr. Jongmyoung LEE, Chief Science Officer, OSEAN, made a presentation on civil society efforts to reduce the global impact of marine litter. Presentation were also made by Mr. Muntasir MAMUN of the NGO Kewkradong from Bangladesh on the fishing industry and abandoned fishing gear in his country and by Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu TRANG of the NGO GreenHub from Vietnam on local initiatives in her country to address marine litter in fisheries. Ms. Chieko AZUMA of the Japanese NGO, JEAN made a presentation on derelict oyster farming gear that are drifting from Hiroshima Bay, Japan to northwest Hawaii, United States of America.
The 2018 NOWPAP-TEMM Workshop was followed by a separate meeting of the NGO participants to share lessons learned and experiences in managing marine litter. They also discussed how NOWPAP could support civil society efforts in the region and beyond with best practices and knowledge-sharing.
1.3 School children team up with UN and NGOs to clean up Busan beach on World Environment Day
Busan, Republic of Korea, 05 June 2018 – On 5 June, celebrating World Environment Day, scores of excited school children defied the rain walking around Busan’s popular Haeundae beach, picking up plastic cups, bottles, discarded fishing gear and other waste littering the seashore.
Eighty junior school students from Busan’s Dong Cheon Elementary School joined the activity organized by the UN Environment Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) in collaboration with Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea (MOF), Korea Environment Management Corporation (KOEM), and OSEAN (Our Sea of East Asia Network), a Korean non-governmental organization (NGO).
About 70 local people together with NOWPAP officials and civil society groups took part in the International Coastal Clean-up Campaign (ICC) on the beach which attracts large number of tourists. They collected 51 kg of litter, including fishing rods, nets and styrofoam boxes. The two-hour event also featured talks by experts and school teachers on marine litter. A special training was organized on how to collect and measure microplastic particles - products of plastic degradation harmful to the marine environment.
“I knew that there was rubbish on the beach, but not this much! I now know that we need to use less plastic,” said 12-year-old Shin Dong Yoon.
The Busan ICC was the latest in a series of such events which NOWPAP organizes annually on the Northwest Pacific beaches of Japan, the People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation.
The ICCs are part of the NOWPAP Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter. Launched in March 2008, the goal of ICC is to prevent the entry of litter into seas and coasts, monitor marine litter quantities and its distribution, and remove/dispose marine litter.
Annual marine litter management workshops and ICCs are held in each NOWPAP country in collaboration with NGOs. “I sincerely hope that NOWPAP member states can work toward fruitful and concrete outcomes,” said Mr. Seung Hwan Cho, Deputy Minister for Marine Policy Office, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea.
Considering that the beaches in the region are mostly littered by non-degradable waste such as plastics and polystyrene coming from land- and sea-based sources from fisheries and aquaculture, NOWPAP is raising public awareness about the adverse environmental, health and economic impact of poor waste management by widely distributing brochures, leaflets, posters and guidelines on marine litter in local languages.
“We believe that working with the local community, we can indeed #BeatPlasticPollution”, says Dr. Lev Neretin, NOWPAP Coordinator
1.4 NGOs share experience of fighting marine litter in Northwest Pacific and Southeast Asia
Busan, June 2018 – Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from Bangladesh, Japan, Republic of Korea and Viet Nam meeting at the NOWPAP Asia Pacific Civil Forum on Marine Litter (APML) here on 6 June, shared experiences in mobilizing public support against marine litter and highlighted the increasing threat of sea pollution from aquaculture.
The NOWPAP-APML Joint NGO Forum on Marine Litter, attended by 10 NGO representatives was held at the Homers Hotel after the 5-6 June First Meeting of the Northwest Pacific Action Plan for Marine Litter (RAP MALI) Focal Points at the same venue. Representatives of NOWPAP and an observer from the Russian Federation also took part in the half-day forum.
Participants discussed challenges to marine litter prevention in the Asian region and identified resources and opportunities for collaboration between civil society and the international community to address the growing problem of marine pollution from human activities.
The opening session on ‘Marine Litter and Citizen Science’ included presentations on people’s initiatives against marine litter in Asia, by Ms Nguyen Thu Trang of GreenHub Viet Nam, Mr. S.M. Muntasir Mamun of Bangladeshi NGO Kewkradong, Dr. Jongmyoung Lee of OSEAN, Republic of Korea and Ms. Chieko Azuma of JEAN, Japan.
Ms Nguyen highlighted the problem of sea pollution from Styrofoam fragments originating in oyster aquaculture farms in Viet Nam where the Ha long Bay Peoples’ Committee has banned the use of polystyrene and called for adoption of environment-friendly alternatives. In Bangladesh, Mr. Mamun’s NGO has developed a smartphone application to engage citizens in reporting street garbage while in the Republic of Korea, the government is supporting an OSEAN project to monitor beach debris using a smartphone application. In Japan, JEAN is working with several NGOs to organize a series of activities to address marine litter and microplastics pollution.
The NGOs emphasized the need to collect data on aquaculture as a growing sources of derelict fishing gear and the lack of attention to the role of natural disasters in spreading marine litter. Styrofoam buoys from oyster-aquaculture in the Northwest Pacific and Southeast Asia have caused serious marine litter problems.
They also identified opportunities for collaboration between civil society, UN Environment, governments and private sector to prevent and reduce marine litter, including building capacities at grassroots levels.
1.5 Meeting of the Northwest Pacific Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) Focal Points
On 5 and 6 June, the meeting of NOWPAP Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) was held in Busan. The Focal Points reviewed RAP MALI progress and proposed activities related to the Reginal Action Plan for the NOWPAP Regional Activity Centres (RACs) and Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) in 2018-2019. The meeting agreed that the proposed NOWPAP Special Project on microplastics would use existing microplastics monitoring criteria in member states countries. Existing eco-toxicological studies of the impact of microplastics on the environment would be reviewed as a second component of the project. The meeting accepted with much appreciation, the invitation from Dalian City, People’s Republic of China to hold the 2019 RAP MALI Focal Points Meeting jointly with the 2019 NOWPAP-TEMM Marine Litter Management Workshop and the 2019 NOWPAP International Coastal Clean-up, tentatively in September 2019.
1.6 UN Environment study reveals more endangered species in Northwest Pacific region
Beijing, 08 June 2018 – The number of marine species inhabiting the Northwest Pacific areas of China, Japan, the Korean peninsula and the Russian Federation that are at risk of survival is higher than previously estimated, according to an assessment by a United Nations regional marine and coastal conservation programme.
An evaluation by the UN Environment-sponsored Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) has found that more endangered species are living in NOWPAP member countries than those listed in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The findings of the study by the NOWPAP Beijing-based Data and Information Regional Activity Centre (DINRAC) for its Endangered Species Database were revealed at an annual meeting of NOWPAP Member States held here.
Up to 143 species living in at least one of the member countries of the quarter century-old NOWPAP were evaluated as endangered in the IUCN Red List. The DINRAC assessment found the distribution range of these species to be wider than the area reported by IUCN.
“I hope the new findings of DINRAC will contribute to better planning for conservation of endangered species in the NOWPAP member states”, Dr. Yoshihisa Shirayama of the Japan Agency for Marine and Earth Science and Technology, who led the DINRAC assessment said.
The findings underline the urgency of the message of the annual World Oceans Day today recognized by the United Nations General Assembly to protect the shared global seas and its inhabitants. This year’s theme is preventing plastic pollution of the oceans which is a growing problem, especially for the animals that call the seas their home. It strengthens the call of this year’s World Environment Day marked on 5 June to “Beat Plastic Pollution”.
Most marine endangered species in the region are animals. Zalophus japonicus, commonly known as the Japanese Sea Lion that was widely found in the north-western Pacific till the 1950s was hunted into extinction with the last surviving individual killed in 1974.
However, as many as 10 species, consisting of 6 bony fishes, 3 birds and 1 sea turtle, ranked as critically endangered by IUCN, were confirmed living in the NOWPAP region. The rank of hawksbill sea turtle was raised from endangered to critically endangered during the second and latest phase of the DINRAC assessment.
Twenty-seven species were found to be endangered and 104 ranked as vulnerable by IUCN. These include a variety of groups such as whales, birds, sea-turtles, rays, sharks, corals, sea cucumbers and sea grasses.
Some invertebrate groups in the region are still to be evaluated by IUCN. For example, one of living fossil brachiopod species, Lingula adamsi, rated as critically endangered in the Japanese Red List of Marine Species published in March 2017, is not included in the IUCN Red List.
The 30-31 May 16th NOWPAP DINRAC Focal Points Meeting in Beijing endorsed the third phase. of data collection for species in the Red Lists of NOWPAP Member States. The activity during 2018-2019 aims to support proactive biodiversity conservation in member countries.
Member countries also endorsed DINRAC project proposals to evaluate the environmental impacts of human activity in marine areas and of land reclamation from the sea. Sea farms, seaports, oil and oceanological platforms, underwater pipelines, industrial and municipal sewage, river run-off from industrially developed areas are a major source of marine pollution in the region as is growing land reclamation.
DINRAC is one of four NOWPAP Regional Activity Centres that support evidence-based policymaking and help build preparedness in member countries to protect and sustainably use the marine and coastal environment in keeping with their commitment to the global 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda adopted by world leaders in September 2015.
1.7 Northwest Pacific nations act to protect their rich marine and coastal fauna and flora
Toyama, Japan, 11 May 2018 – Four Northwest Pacific nations are stepping up cooperation to protect the wealth of fauna and flora found in their seas and shores which are under growing threat from human activities and climate change.
Representatives of Japan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation met here with biodiversity conservation experts at a United Nations forum and discussed the preparation of a Regional Action Plan on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Conservation scheduled to be launched in 2023.
The 10-11 May ‘Sixteenth NOWPAP CEARAC Focal Points Meeting’ brought together the four member countries of the United Nations-sponsored Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) for their annual review of activities of the NOWPAP Special Monitoring and Coastal Environmental Assessment Regional Activity Centre (CEARAC) based in Toyama.
One of the most biologically diverse regions in the world, the northwest Pacific is home to tens of thousands of marine, land-based and avian species, over a hundred of which are classified as endangered in degree, ranging from vulnerable to critical. The NOWPAP region also accounts for a significant share of the global fisheries catch. Loss of marine biodiversity affects the capacity of seas to provide food and livelihoods.
Climate change, habitat destruction, aquaculture, nutrient overloading of seas, overfishing and non-indigenous and invasive species are posing an increasing threat to NOWPAP marine and coastal biodiversity. Excessive nutrient inflow is resulting in eutrophication of coastal waters and harmful algal blooms. The rate of increase of protected coastal and marine areas in the region is among the lowest in the world, well below globally agreed conservation targets.
A regional action plan for marine and coastal biodiversity conservation will harness the expertise of the four NOWPAP Regional Activity Centres which work on monitoring marine and coastal environmental health along with pollution prevention and reduction. It will also provide a framework for intraregional cooperation on biodiversity conservation, a key component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Some NOWPAP member countries share borders and have similar biological species facing common threats,
The Regional Action Plan will focus on IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List species, invasive alien species and sensitive habitat mapping.
1.8 University students clear litter from Russky Island off Vladivostok on World Environment Day
Russky Island, Russian Federation, June 2018 - Students and teachers of Far Eastern Federal University located on Russky island in Peter the Great Gulf off Vladivostok on the Russian Federation’s Northwest Pacific coast, marked World Environment Day 2018 by removing 200 kg of marine litter from the island.
The coastal clean-up, organized by Ekostart Ltd, a non-governmental organization with the support of the Vladivostok City Administration, covered a 300 m section of the coastline and collected 50 kg of plastic and nearly 100 kg of glass, besides other waste.
The collected litter was sorted by the students and removed for further processing.
NOWPAP provided information support for the 5 June World Environment Day activity on Russky island.
1.9 Marine Litter artworks exhibition opened in Toyama
A marine litter artworks exhibition started on the 7th of June 2018 at Himi City Beach Botanical Garden, Toyama, Japan. This is an annual exhibition organized by the Northwest Pacific Regional Environmental Cooperation Center (NPEC) in cooperation with Toyama prefecture, Toyama University, Toyama Environment Foundation, and UNEP NOWPAP.
All artworks were made of marine debris picked up at the beach in Toyama, and created by Toyama University students. In addition, the marine litter artworks, created by the 4th grade students at Himi City Kubo Elementary School, will be displayed from the 13th of June. The Exhibition will remain open until the 1st of July 2018.
2. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING
2.1 NOWPAP contributes to the development of "Seoul Outcome Plus 2" at the Convention of Biological Diversity meeting in Seoul
13 April, 2018, Seoul: NOWPAP representatives participated in the second meeting of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations (RSOs) and Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs) on Accelerating Progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals, convened by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea and the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Environment Programme, from 10 to 13 April 2018 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. At the meeting NOWPAP presented at the plenary session, facilitated working group discussion, and provided inputs for the "Seoul Outcome Plus 2" – final document of the meeting. The meeting made several important recommendations, including for further development of NOWPAP marine biodiversity activities, including: (i) continuing inter-regional cross-fertilization and knowledge transfer while accepting the regional diversity; (ii) identifying existing complementary capacities, resources and activities within regional organizations to enhance regional cooperation and coordination and support national-level implementation; (iii) encouraging Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Seas Fisheries Bodies to consider creating or further developing regional cross-sectoral dialogues to identify areas and modalities of cooperation and collaboration; (iv) identifying regional priorities and availability of resources; and (v) taking 'Seoul Outcome Plus 2' into practice through various inter-sessional activities. The details of the meeting discussion were reported to the global audience and available at: http://enb.iisd.org/oceans/soi2/.
2.2 NOWPAP addresses regional workshop on inter-Korean cooperation in Seoul
May 11th, 2018, Seoul, R. Korea: Together with other regional partners (Yellow Sea LME Phase II project, PEMSEA, and East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership) and national stakeholders in R. Korea, NOWPAP (also on behalf of UNEP) delivered a keynote presentation and contributed to the identification of priorities for maritime cooperation between two Koreas at the Regional Workshop on Putting Sustainable Marine and Coastal Ecosystems into Inter-Korean Cooperation. The Workshop organized by the R. Korea National Assembly and Korea Maritime Institute was attended by over 150 participants from public and private sector. It provided ample opportunities to discuss past, ongoing and potential future initiatives to support sustainable development of the coastal and marine environment in seas surrounding two Koreas (also falling into the geographic coverage of NOWPAP). The main sentiment among participants who spoke at the meeting was the importance of integrating marine environmental protection and sustainable maritime development into future inter-Korean development cooperation framework. Learning from lessons of the past, high risks to the environment and society from intensive development pressures should be recognized and internalized through the promotion of environmentally sustainable practices and technologies. The important role of international organizations in the future, including UNEP and NOWPAP, as impartial brokers and knowledge partners was mentioned by some participants. In his address, NOWPAP Coordinator argued for including the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 focused on oceans, as a crucial element of potential bilateral and international cooperation framework with North Korea. Some of his proposals included focusing on the joint development of DPRK’s Blue Growth Coastal Strategy/Master Plan that should consider, inter alia, blue growth strategic investment projects targeting as a first priority transboundary issues (migratory species, sustainable fisheries, and pollution reduction).
2.3 NOWPAP discusses potential cooperation with the Secretariat of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat
May 11, 2018, Seoul, R. Korea: NOWPAP Coordinator attended the 2018 International Forum for the Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) “The Opening of a New Chapter for Trilateral Cooperation – The Past 10 years, the Coming 10 Years” held in Tokyo on April 18th, 2018. The forum brought together around 30 high-profile government officials and prominent scholars to share their insights along with the forum theme and attracted more than 300 participants from three governments, academia, media, business sectors and diplomatic community. As a follow up to the meeting, NOWPAP Coordinator had a working lunch with Ms. JANG EunYoung, the Director of Economic Affairs of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat and her colleagues on May 11th, 2018 in Seoul, R. Korea. The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) is an international organization established with a vision to promote peace, stability and common prosperity of the East Asian Region. Pursuant to the Agreement on the Establishment of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) signed and ratified by the three governments of the People’s Republic of China (China), the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, the TCS was officially inaugurated in Seoul in September 2011. Among main function of the TCS is (i) providing support for trilateral consultative mechanisms; (ii) exploring and facilitating cooperative projects; (iii) communicating and coordinating with other international organizations and stakeholders, and (iv) generating databases, research and publications. Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM) is one of the longest-living and well-established mechanisms among all the current 21 ministerial-level consultative mechanisms. TEMM is one of the most important mechanisms that the TCS supports. By providing administrative and technical support to the meetings, following up to conduct projects assigned at TEMM, and exploring and implementing cooperative projects under the 9 priorities, the TCS is paving its way to make meaningful and substantial contribution to the TEMM mechanism. NOWPAP is cooperating with TEMM Group on marine litter. During the lunch, two sides exchanged the information about the ongoing activities of the two organizations and explored potential areas for cooperation. NOWPAP RCU will continue exploring how two institutions could support each other mandates, particularly those related to marine environmental protection and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14.
2.4 NOWPAP explains its role in promoting 2030 Agenda to Korean marine scientists
May 2018. Jeju , Republic of Korea – In a presentation to a conference of leading Korean marine scientists, NOWPAP Coordinator Dr. Lev Neretin explained how the United Nations is using the best scientific knowledge and international cooperation to promote the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) in the Northwest Pacific region.
More than 2,000 marine scientists, researchers and experts attended the 2018 Joint Academic Conference of the Korean Association of Ocean Science and Technology Societies (KAOSTS) held In Jeju on 24-25 May. Over 1,000 scientific papers were presented.
The NOWPAP presentation was made during a special event on international cooperation on marine science and technology. It explained the role of NOWPAP as the lead United Nations body for ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water). NOWPAP identifies emerging issues in sustainable development of the Northwest Pacific marine and coastal environment and brings together the best international expertise and scientific knowledge to protect regional seas and shores.
Dr. Seong-Gil Kang, Director of the NOWPAP Marine Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response Regional Activity Centre (MERRAC) guided KAOSTS 2018 as its Secretary-General and member for the Organizing Committee.
The Korean Association of Ocean Science and Technology Societies was founded in 1998 and comprises six major marine science and technology institutions: the Korean Society of Oceanography; the Society of Naval Architects of Korea; the Korean Society of Marine Environment and Energy; the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research; Korean Society of Ocean Engineering; and the Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers.
2.5 Visit from Korean Consulate General in Niigata
Republic of Korea Consulate General in Niigata, Japan visits NOWPAP office
On 12 June 2018, Deputy Consul General, Mr. Seung-cheol Lim, discussed the issues of mutual interest with Dr. Lev Neretin, NOWPAP Senior Coordinator, at the RCU Toyama office. Among them were the implementation of the NOWPAP Medium-term Strategy 2018-2022 and the interest from both sides to enhance information exchange and collaboration between the two offices.
2.6 NOWPAP RCU explores areas of cooperation with Busan Metropolitan City
On 18 June 2018, Dr. Lev Neretin and Dr. LIU Ning of NOWPAP RCU met with Mr. Song Sam-jong, Director-General, Marine and Fisheries Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City. Dr. Neretin invited Marine and Fisheries Bureau to attend the NOWPAP marine litter workshop to be held in Dalian, China in September 2018. He also discussed the importance and NOWPAP interest in exploring news areas of cooperation with Busan Metropolitan City on the development of green port infrastructure, city-led ‘blue economy’ as well as inter-regional cooperation in the framework of the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments (NEAR) where Busan City is a member.
Mr. Song suggested that NOWPAP pays more attention in addressing the problem of discarded/lost fishing gear, deep sea garbage and improving the marine environment for the increased fish production. He pointed out that abandoned fishing gear can remain in oceans for a long period of time and there is a need for international cooperation in removing the discarded fishing gear. NOWPAP could play a role in addressing the issue.
NOWPAP RCU and Busan Metropolitan City agreed to continue exploring areas of mutual interest in environmental protection through information sharing and future joint activities.
2.7 RCU calls on the President of the Republic of Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science
On 18 June 2018, Dr. Lev Neretin and Dr. LIU Ning of the NOWPAP Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) called on Dr. SEO Jang Woo, President of the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) based in Busan. Expressing appreciation for NIFS support in hosting the RCU Busan Office, Dr. Neretin briefed the NIFS President on the progress made by NOWPAP in addressing the problem of microplastics pollution and marine litter and expressed an interest in enhancing cooperation with the Institute. Dr. SEO highlighted concern over the harmful impact of plastic pollution on fish stock and the need for greater efforts by NOWPAP member states to address this issue.
3. MARINE NEWS DIGEST
3.1 People's Republic of China
Asia's longest river floods sea with plastic waste
China's environment ministry, environmental groups and campaigners find unity in efforts to address plastic waste being carried through the 6,300km Yangtze river into the sea. "According to research published in a recent environmental journal...1.5 million tonnes of plastic" per year. A massive challenge, but commitments are already being made visible.
"We're obliged, responsible and have every reason to do a better job in the coming days" Li Ganjie, environment minister PRC.
As China leads the hunt for deep-sea minerals, environmental and financial concerns come to the surface
Deep sea mining! With adequate technology now in place, how concerned should we be about opening this new frontier to exploration? Should we be waving the green flag before we have fully understood the environmental implications of scouring our seabeds for minerals?
3.2 Japan
Bill to reduce microplastics released into the environment passed by Japan’s Upper House
Japan's upper house passed a bill early June to reduce the emission of microplastics up to 5 mm across. The legislation, created to address ocean pollution, will not penalize those who do not comply. While this is surely a step in the right direction, is it enough to deal with the currently 'worrying levels of pollution in Japan’s lakes and the sea', where research conducted last year revealed microplastics in the digestive tracts of 40% of fish caught countrywide.
Japan Needs Longer Look at Oceans Plastics Charter After G-7 Summit
Japan and the US were the only two G-7 nations that declined to sign the Oceans Plastics Charter (signed also by the EU) at the recent G-7 meeting held in Charlevoix Quebec. Japan said it needed more time to understand the national implications of the charter, which aims to 'reduce plastic in the Oceans' and 'relieve battered marine ecosystems', through having its members institute regulations on plastic goods. The US, on the other hand, has offered no explanation as to why they declined.
3.3 Republic of Korea
Japan, China, S.Korea to address ocean pollution
Following the 20th trilateral meeting on the environment held in Suzhou city China, S.Korea, Japan and China, 'have agreed to work together to address ocean pollution caused by microplastics and other waste', acknowledging the importance of working together to protect the 'world's marine environment'. The three nations will continue discussions on this topic at a side meeting during the Group of 20 summit which will be held in Japan next year.
Korean Emergence as Winner of USCG-type Approval Certificate for Ballast Water Treatment System
On June 5th, Korea's Techross inc's ballast water treatment system received the elusive USCG-type Approval Certificate giving the country an edge in a $47 billion industry. Ballast water treatment systems are of vital importance in regards to protecting marine environments from invasive species. The IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention which went into effect in September 2017 requires, 'all vessels to be equipped with the system within the next 7 years'.
The US likewise has strict regulations requiring the use of this equipment in order to access its waters. With Samsung Heavy Industries, Co. Ltd. and Panasia Co. Ltd. also on the lineup to receive USCG-type Approval Certificates for their ballast water treatments systems, Korea has begun to clearly carve out its space as a leader within this industry.
3.4 Russian Federation
With Marine Traffic Growing, International Shipping Agency Approves US-Russia Plan for Bering Strait Shipping Lanes
The IMO has approved a joint Russian-US proposal for 'two-way shipping lanes for vessels that are at least 400 gross tonnes' through the Bering Strait where traffic has been increasing as sea ice retreats. The designated lanes will improve shipping safety, which along with an approval of buffer zones/'areas to be avoided', has been lauded as good news for the marine environment and peoples living in the region who have been working for years to have safety measures put in place.
“I think it’s a wonderful accomplishment” Austin Ahmasuk, advocate for Nome-based Kawerak Inc., a nonprofit owned by Inupiat people of the Bering Straits region. While following the designated routes or avoiding buffer zones has not been made mandatory, 'shippers’ insurers are expected to demand compliance', and therefore the recommended lanes will likely be followed.
Vladivostok Film Festival "Man and the Sea - 2018"
On June 5th - 7th, the 14th festival of marine documentaries "Man and the Sea - 2018" was held in Vladivostok. The festival attempts to bring to light the works and experiences of journalists and other authors in covering marine issues, by highlighting the best works in marine television documentaries. This year, the festival consisted of ten categories including: The best reporter's work, "People of the sea" - films about people who devoted themselves to the sea, "Clean sea" - films on problems of ecology and preservation of the world ocean, "Underwater camera" - educational films about the underwater world and "The best sea story" - films on adventures, events and lifestyle related to the sea.
This years films included Andrei Zakharenko's underwater filming of the unique moments of people meeting whales in the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and Kristina Koroleva's Fragile girl, which covers a disastrous summer for fishermen whose plans fall to ruin when they are unable to catch fish.
3.5 Global
McDonald's to ditch plastic straws
McDonald's will replace plastic straws with paper ones in all its UK and Ireland restaurants, starting from September. It is the latest company to opt out of some single-use plastic products which can take hundreds of years to decompose if not recycled. The restaurant chain uses 1.8 million straws a day in the UK. Environment Secretary Michael Gove called it a "significant contribution" to helping the environment, adding that it was "a fine example to other large businesses". The ban does not yet extend to the rest of the chain's global empire, but trials will begin in selected restaurants in the US, France and Norway.
IMO MEPC
April 9-13. London,UK.
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) addresses environmental issues under IMO’s remit. This includes the control and prevention of ship-source pollution covered by the MARPOL treaty, including oil, chemicals carried in bulk, sewage, garbage and emissions from ships, including air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Other matters covered include ballast water management, anti-fouling systems, ship recycling, pollution preparedness and response, and identification of special areas and particularly sensitive sea areas.
Issue: Shipping emissions, Heavy fuel oil in the Arctic
Sustainable Ocean Initiative Global Dialogue
April 10-13. Seoul, Republic of Korea
Achieving a balance between conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity
» SOI is an action-oriented, holistic and integrated capacitybuilding framework.
» SOI is committed to building bridges between biodiversity conservation and resource management sectors.
» SOI is committed to effective interaction and communication between local, national and international levels.
Issue: Aichi Biodiversity 2020 targets and SDGs
Eighth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific.
April 9-12 Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
In 2009, the Regional 3R Forum in Asia was established at Japan’s proposal as a platform for broad cooperation on promotion of the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – in Asia. Members include central governments, international agencies, aid agencies, private sector entities, research bodies, NGOs and other relevant parties. Forum members have held high-level discussions on policies, provided support for the implementation of 3R projects in member countries, shared useful information, and are building networks for the further promotion of 3R initiatives. Japan hosted the inaugural Regional 3R Forum in Tokyo in 2009, and has cosponsored subsequent Forums together with the governments of host countries and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) (external link). After the fourth forum, the name was changed to Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific.
The Fourth Regional 3R Forum – held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, in March 2013 – adopted the Ha Noi 3R Declaration ‐ Sustainable 3R Goals for Asia and the Pacific for 2013‐2023 . It is a legally non-binding and voluntary document which aims to provide a basic framework for Asia-Pacific countries to develop measures and programs to promote 3Rs including a set of 3R indicators for monitoring specific progress. Japan will continue its efforts to expand cooperation with the governments of other countries, international agencies, and other bodies with the aim of building a sound material-cycle society worldwide.
The 8th Regional 3R Forum documents and websites are still under construction.
Ocean Risk Summit
May 9-11. Bermuda
ABOUT THE OCEAN RISK SUMMIT: Leaders from across the political, economic, environmental and risk sectors will gather in Bermuda for the first Ocean Risk Summit. The event will present high-level speakers providing expert data, analysis and innovative tools to help participants identify potential exposures to ocean risk and prepare to tackle its broad-ranging consequences. Together, attendees at the summit will help generate new and dynamic solutions.
Issue: Climate change
World Conference on Marine Biodiversity
4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB 2018) was held at Montreal’s Palais des congrès, Canada, from May 13 to 16, 2018. The event was a great success and gathered more than 600 participants from over 50 countries, including scientists, managers, policy makers and leading specialists in the field.
Issue: Biodiversity, MPAs
International Day for Biological Diversity - May 22, 2018
Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity. In notification 2017-144, the Secretariat announced that it would invite Parties to the Convention to participate in the 25th anniversary by, among other activities, organizing and hosting local celebrations on 22 May 2018, the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). In line with the above, the Secretariat is pleased to announce that this year’s IDB theme will be: "Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity". The theme was chosen to mark the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity and to highlight progress made in the achievement of its objectives at the national and global levels. As mentioned in the notification, the Secretariat is in the process of developing a variety of outreach materials to support the celebrations on this important day. We invite everyone to keep us informed of your plans for activities to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity, so that they may be included on this page.
Ad Hoc Open-Ended Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics
May 29-31. Nairobi, Kenya.
Experts from all over the world will meet in Nairobi to discuss barriers and options for combatting marine plastic litter and microplastics. The meeting was mandated by the third stand-alone resolution on marine litter which was adopted by the UN Environment Assembly in December 2017.
4th International Symposium on the effect of climate change on the world's Oceans
June 4-8. Washington DC, USA
The 4th International Symposium will bring together experts from around the world to better understand climate impacts on ocean ecosystems – and how to respond.
Issue: Ocean climate
World Environment Day (UN) - June 5.
Issue: Environment
World Oceans Day - June 8.
Issue: All Ocean issues
G7 leaders meeting
June 8-9. Canada
Canada is proud to hold the G7 Presidency from January 1 to December 31, 2018, and will use this opportunity to showcase both its domestic and international priorities. As the G7 president, Canada was responsible for hosting and organizing the G7 Summit that took place in Charlevoix from June 8-9, 2018.
Issue: All Ocean issues - especially platics
5th International Marine Conservation Congress
June 24-29. Kuching, Malaysia
To conserve the world’s oceans we must go beyond science, and use it to inform policy and management, and ultimately to catalyze change. The Society for Conservation Biology's International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC) brings together conservation professionals and students to develop new and powerful tools to further marine conservation science and policy.
Issue: MPAs, science
4. CONTACT US
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU). Toyama Office
5-5, Ushijima-shinmachi, Toyama-shi, Toyama, 930-0856, Japan
Tel：+81-76-444-1611
Fax：+81-76-444-2780
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU). Busan Office
216 Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 46083, Republic of Korea
Tel: +82-51-720-3001
Fax: +82-51-720-3009
NOWPAP intern email: hayun.jeong@un.org
5. CREDITS
Ms. Nami Miyazaki is originally from Nairobi, Kenya, but moved to Tokyo to complete an undergraduate degree at International Christian University (ICU) Japan, and later a master's degree at Sophia University's Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies. Her research lay predominantly in the fields of environmental history, philosophy and ethics. She looks forward to continuing with the incredible work conducted by the previous interns, and was happy for the opportunity to put together this quarter's Marine News Digest.
Mr. Hayun Jeong is a graduate of the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences. He started his internship in NOWPAP Busan Office in March 2018. Hayun maintains and updates NOWPAP website, newsletters, Facebook page, and contributes to other communication materials. "This is my first experience being directly involved with the UN. I am grateful that my supervisors and colleagues took their patience and busy time to teach this hatchling ways around the nest called NOWPAP RCU in Busan. It's very welcoming." said Hayun.
We hope you enjoyed our second quarterly newsletter for 2018.
Please look forward to our next newsletter for July-September 2018.
Published on: July 20, 2018
Last edited on: July 20, 2018