Pacific Islands Regional Ocean Policy
Improving our understanding of the ocean
CROP MSWG 

OCEAN POLICY
Introduction
Text

OCEAN FORUM
Intro & documents
Country concerns
Group outcomes Plennary discussions

IMPLEMENTATION
Introduction
The PIROF-ISA

ACTIVITIES

BACKGROUND
Countries and territories involved in PIROP


 

 

 

 

 
                                                                           
Theme 2:  Improving our understanding of the ocean 

Sustainable development and management of marine resources and the broader marine and coastal environment relies on a thorough understanding of the relevant issues and processes, including traditional knowledge. Such understanding can be developed only if information is both available and can be readily understood by all stakeholders. Building the capacity to collect, process, disseminate and understand information — at the local, national and regional level — is a critical component in the implementation of PIROP. Ensuring shared access to global and regional developments in science and technology is an important aspect of this challenge. The objective of the initiatives relating to understanding is to improve the availability, management, use and dissemination of information in ways that leads to better-informed decision-making and increased public support for sound ocean management.

 
Initiatives:  

2.1: Identify and prioritise information needs and expand information gathering efforts.

2.3: Improve access to information and ensure protection for sensitive information, enhance knowledge management and improve the use of information in decision-making.

2.3:  Promote formal and informal education, training and capacity building of local people in marine science, marine affairs and related disciplines.  

2.4: Communicate ocean issues effectively to build strong public support for sound ocean management.

 

Initiative 2.1

Actions to implement Initiative 2.1

 Identify and prioritise information needs and expand information gathering efforts.

As utilisation of the ocean intensifies the need for an expanded information and knowledge base increases. Significant needs include inventorying and gaining access to the results of research activities, identifying and addressing gaps in the knowledge base, and coordinating future research.

 

 2.1.1  Document the existing information and knowledge base, in part through an inventory of past and current marine research activities.

 2.1.2 Prioritise information and knowledge requirements and identify significant gaps.

 2.1.3  Develop mechanisms for coordinating relevant observing and monitoring activities, including initiatives from within the region and access to data and products generated by external partners.

 2.1.4  Develop regional and national guidelines to monitor and coordinate research, in accordance with UNCLOS provisions.

 2.1.5 Build capacity to conduct and strengthen the requirements for socio-economic valuation and assessment of resources, of biological processes, and of pollution.

 2.1.6  Undertake an assessment of the value of the Pacific Ocean (including considerations of subsistence use, ecological services, recreational value and similar factors).

Initiative 2.2

Actions to implement Initiative 2.2

 Improve access to information and ensure protection for sensitive information, enhance knowledge management and improve the use of information in decision-making.

 Regional coordination of access to and sharing of information (including scientific, social, and economic information) will help to make information more broadly accessible and useable. It is critical that management of information within the region be enhanced, and that information be formatted in a way that can support decision-making.

 

 2.2.1 Establish a regional network, with agreed-to procedures, formats and protocols for ocean-related information management and sharing.

2.2.2 Ensure PICTs have access to data from global and regional observation systems.

2.2.3 Promote development of adequate communications systems for PICTs to access and exchange information.

2.2.4 Establish clearinghouses for various types of ocean-related information and establish convenient means to broadly share and distribute information (via websites, PIMRIS, etc.).

2.2.5 Enhance knowledge management within the region, including through the enhancement and/or establishment of tertiary and other training opportunities to improve knowledge and information management capacity.

2.2.6 Provide technical assistance to PICTs to facilitate the incorporation of scientific and technical information in decision-making.

2.2.7  Ensure agencies (including research institutions, CROP agencies and NGOs) report scientific information in a form that is readable and understandable by the public and decision makers.

2.2.8 Develop regional protocols and more general processes for the sharing and return of ocean research results to local communities, and the broader region.

Initiative 2.3

Actions to implement Initiative 2.3

 Promote formal and informal education, training and capacity building of local people in marine science, marine affairs and related disciplines.

 Ensuring residents of PICTs receive education and training relevant to ocean and coastal management is a crucial aspect of capacity building. The need to strengthen the knowledge base of local people and develop an ongoing public interest in ocean issues should be addressed through the establishment and strengthening of relevant national education programmes at all levels. It is important that teaching and training meets country needs and addresses priority issues. Training courses need to be relevant and effective and should be designed to generate lasting benefits and appropriate skills transfer; these objectives are unlikely to be met unless education and training initiatives are supported by communities, governments and regional organisations.

 

 2.3.1  Identify and address gaps in formal and informal education programmes in the areas of ocean science and governance.

 2.3.2  Enhance opportunities for technical training in ocean related areas through both formal and informal means.

 2.3.3  Develop and implement in-country training programmes in priority areas.

 2.3.4  Enhance teacher training and curriculum in ocean-related subjects.

 2.3.5  Consider and develop informal training mechanisms for transfer of skills in marine science and ocean governance.

 2.3.6  Seek opportunities for coordinating and combining education, training and capacity building initiatives with other regional initiatives.

 

 

Initiative 2.4

Actions to implement Initiative 2.4

 Communicate ocean issues effectively to build strong public support for sound ocean management

 Much available information relating to ocean and coastal issues is technical and may not be readily understood by the public. To raise awareness of ocean issues and the consequences of human activities it is important that collaboration with the media be increased, and that they be engaged as partners in the effort to implement PIROP.

 

 2.4.1  Collaborate, engage with and sensitise the media regarding ocean, coastal and island issues.

 2.4.2  Develop communications strategies, including national and regional awareness campaigns, for making technical information available to the public in an understandable form, which take into account different stakeholder interests and characteristics.

 2.4.3  Raise the profile of the need for responsible governance of the ocean and coasts, including through a regional and national launch of the PIROF-ISA.