Living Blue Planet Report page 52
Preserve natural capital: Marine natural capital should be built
into national accounting, and the importance of ecosystem services
and natural assets should be considered in every decision that
affects the marine environment.
To date, the total ocean area under some form of protection
is only 3.4 per cent: concerted action is needed to reach the
Aichi Target, agreed under the CBD, to protect at least 10 per
cent of coastal and marine areas by 2020. WWF is working with
governments, partners and local communities around the world
to establish effectively and equitably managed, ecologically
representative and well-connected networks of MPAs.
Produce better: Almost 10 per cent of wild-caught seafood
globally now comes from fisheries certified by the Marine
Stewardship Council (MSC). This ensures stocks are being managed
sustainably, and that impacts on marine ecosystems and species
are minimized. In addition, an increasing number of fish farms are
implementing the standards of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council
(ASC). WWF and partners also work with fisheries, including
communities where certification is not an option, to improve fishing
practices. Better management in fisheries is vital for reversing the
alarming decline in utilized fish species and rebuilding fish stocks to
ecologically sustainable harvest levels.
Meanwhile, shifting away from fossil fuels will reduce the
impacts of oil and gas sector development – and of climate change –
on the marine environment.
Consume more wisely: Demand from consumers and retailers
for more responsibly produced seafood has encouraged producers
to commit to ASC and MSC certification. Consumer choices
can also influence service industries such as tourism to operate
in more responsible ways that benefit marine ecosystems and
coastal communities.
Blue economy from a One Planet Perspective
The One Planet Perspective shows how we can
halt the depletion of the ocean, restore damaged
ecosystems, and manage, use and share the ocean’s
resources within the planet’s finite capacity.
These are also the ingredients for a sustainable
blue economy.