Due to the migratory nature of sea turtles- implementation
of conservation efforts need to be orchestrated and undertaken at
National level with international collaboration for regional management.
It is no use protecting sea turtles in one area of the Mediterranean
Sea while they are still killed elsewhere in the region.
Since
the 1970’s there have been considerable efforts to protect
sea turtles and critical nesting habitat in the Mediterranean.
Local and National conservation activities were enhanced in
the 1980s and 1990s through the support of international organizations
and initiatives including: the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Convention
for Migratory Species (CMS), World Conservation Union (IUCN),
the Council of Europe and the European Union.
However, regionally inclusive cooperation between countries
for sea turtle conservation is still lacking. |
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XIII
Conference of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention and
its Protocols. Source: www.cprac.org
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United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Agenda 21)
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally,
nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System,
Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts
on the environment.
Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and
the Statement of principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests
were adopted by more than 178 Governments at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de
Janerio, Brazil, 3 to 14 June 1992.
The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was created in December
1992 to ensure effective follow-up of UNCED, to monitor and report
on implementation of the agreements at the local, national, regional
and international levels. It was agreed that a five year review
of Earth Summit progress would be made in 1997 by the United Nations
General Assembly meeting in special session.
The full implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for Further
Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Commitments to the Rio principles,
were strongly reaffirmed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD) held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August to 4 September
2002.
Link: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/index.htm
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Unregulated
trade in wildlife has become a major factor in the decline of many
species of animals and plants. In 1975 an international convention
was established to prevent international trade from threatening
species with extinction. This treaty is known as the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES).
Each member country controls the import and export of an agreed
list of species that are endangered, or at risk of becoming endangered,
due to inadequate controls over trade in them or their products.
Because the trade in wild animals and plants crosses borders between
countries, the effort to regulate it requires international cooperation
to safeguard certain species from over-exploitation. CITES was conceived
in the spirit of such cooperation. Today, it accords varying degrees
of protection to more than 30,000 species of animals and plants,
whether they are traded as live specimens, fur coats or dried herbs
Link: http://www.cites.org/
The
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural
Habitats (Bern Convention)
The
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural
Habitats (the Bern Convention) was adopted in Bern, Switzerland
in 1979, and came into force in 1982. The principal aims of the
Convention are to ensure conservation and protection of wild plant
and animal species and their natural habitats (listed in Appendices
I and II of the Convention), to increase cooperation between contracting
parties, and to regulate the exploitation of those species (including
migratory species) listed in Appendix 3. To this end the Convention
imposes legal obligations on contracting parties, protecting over
500 wild plant species and more than 1000 wild animal species.
To implement the Bern Convention in Europe, the European Community
adopted Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild
Birds (the EC Birds Directive) in 1979, and Council Directive 92/43/EEC
on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora
(the EC Habitats Directive) in 1992. Among other things the Directives
provide for the establishment of a European network of protected
areas (Natura 2000), to tackle the continuing losses of European
biodiversity on land, at the coast and in the sea to human activities.
Link:
http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/104.htm
The
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
(Bonn Convention)
The
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
(also known as CMS or Bonn Convention) aims to conserve terrestrial,
marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. It is
an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United
Nations Environment Programme, concerned with the conservation of
wildlife and habitats on a global scale. Since the Convention's
entry into force, its membership has grown steadily to include 104
(as of 1January 2008) Parties from Africa, Central and South America,
Asia, Europe and Oceania.
The
objective of the Bonn Convention is the conservation of migratory
species worldwide. Wild animals require special attention because
of their importance from the environmental, ecological, genetic,
scientific, recreational, cultural, educational, social and economic
points of view.
CMS
acts as a framework Convention. The Agreements may range from legally
binding treaties (called Agreements) to less formal instruments,
such as Memoranda of Understanding, and can be adapted to the requirements
of particular regions. The development of models tailored according
to the conservation needs throughout the migratory range is a unique
capacity to CMS.
Link: http://www.cms.int/
The
African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
The
objectives are to encourage individual and joint action for the
conservation, utilization and development of soil, water, flora
and fauna for the present and future welfare of mankind, from an
economic, nutritional, scientific, educational, cultural and aesthetic
point of view.
Link:
http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/wpc2003/pdfs/outputs/africa/africa_pasconvention.pdf
The
Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the
Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention)
Adopted
on 16 February 1976, in force 12 February 1978; revised in Barcelona,
Spain, 9-10 June 1995 as the Convention for the Protection of the
Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (not
yet in force)
The
Contracting Parties,
Conscious of the economic, social, health and cultural value of
the marine environment of the Mediterranean Sea Area,
Fully aware of their responsibility to preserve and sustainably
develop this common heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of present
and future generations,
Recognizing the threat posed by pollution to the marine environment,
its ecological equilibrium, resources and legitimate uses,
Mindful of the special hydrographic and ecological characteristics
of the Mediterranean Sea Area and its particular vulnerability to
pollution,
Noting that existing international conventions on the subject do
not cover, in spite of the progress achieved, all aspects and sources
of marine pollution and do not entirely meet the special requirements
of the Mediterranean Sea Area,
Realizing fully the need for close cooperation among the States
and international organizations concerned in a coordinated and comprehensive
regional approach for the protection and enhancement of the marine
environment in the Mediterranean Sea Area,
Fully aware that the Mediterranean Action Plan, since its adoption
in 1975 and through its evolution, has contributed to the process
of sustainable development in the Mediterranean region and has represented
a substantive and dynamic tool for the implementation of the activities
related to the Convention and its Protocols by the Contracting Parties,
Taking into account the results of the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro from 4 to
14 June 1992,
Also taking into account the Declaration of Genoa of 1985, the Charter
of Nicosia of 1990, the Declaration of Cairo of 1992 on Euro-Mediterranean
Cooperation on the Environment within the Mediterranean Basin, the
recommendations of the Conference of Casablanca of 1993, and the
Declaration of Tunis of 1994 on the Sustainable Development of the
Mediterranean,
Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea, done at Montego Bay on 10 December 1982 and
signed by many Contracting Parties
Link: http://www.unep.ch/regionalseas/legal/conlist.htm
The
Protocol Concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas (SPA
Protocol)
Adopted
in Geneva Switzerland, on 2 April 1982, in force 1986, revised in
Barcelona, Spain on 9-10 June 1995 as the Protocol Concerning Specially
Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (SPA
and Biodiversity Protocol)
The
Contracting Parties to the present Protocol,
Being
Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean
Sea against Pollution, adopted at Barcelona on 16 February 1976,
Conscious
of the profound impact of human activities on the state of the marine
environment and the littoral and more generally on the ecosystems
of areas having prevailing Mediterranean features,
Stressing
the importance of protecting and, as appropriate, improving the
state of the Mediterranean natural and cultural heritage, in particular
through the establishment of specially protected areas and also
by the protection and conservation of threatened species,
Considering
the instruments adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development and particularly the Convention on Biological Diversity
(Rio de Janeiro, 1992),
Conscious
that when there is a threat of significant reduction or loss of
biological diversity, lack of full scientific certainty should not
be invoked as a reason for postponing measures to avoid or minimize
such a threat,
Considering
that all the Contracting Parties should cooperate to conserve, protect
and restore the health and integrity of ecosystems and that they
have, in this respect, common but differentiated responsibilities,
Link:
http://www.unep.ch/regionalseas/legal/conlist.htm
Action Plan
for the Conservation of
Mediterranean Marine Turtles
Populations of marine turtles in the Mediterranean have been decreasing
steadily through the last decades. Incidental catches by fishing
gears, Sea pollution and the use of the nesting beaches are the
main causes of marine turtles decline.
The Mediterranean countries within the framework of the Mediterranean
Action Plan, adopted in 1989 the Action Plan for the Conservation
of Mediterranean Marine Turtle. The Parties to the Barcelona Convention
included among their priority targets for the period 1985-1995 the
protection of Mediterranean marine turtles (Genoa Declaration, September
1985).
To this purpose and as a response to growing international concern
about the status of marine turtles in the Mediterranean, which encounter
various threats, including mortality in fishing gear and loss of
vital habitats on land (nesting beaches), they adopted in 1989 the
Action Plan for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Turtles.
In 1996, the Parties confirmed their commitment to the conservation
of marine turtles by including the 5 species of marine turtle recorded
for the Mediterranean in the List of Endangered and Threatened Species
annexed to the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and
Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean (Barcelona, 1995).
The Protocol calls on the Parties to continue to cooperate in implementing
those action plans already adopted. The Action Plan for the Conservation
of Marine Turtles was revised in 1998-1999 and therevised Action
Plan was adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Contracting Parties
to the Barcelona Convention in Malta in October 1999.
Following the request of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona
Convention (Portoroz, 2005), RAC/SPA is preparing an update of the
Action Plan for the Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean
to be submitted to the 8th Meeting of RAC/SPA National Focal Points.
With the aim of updating the Action Plan the Regional Activity Centre
for Specially Protected Areas RAC/SPA (UNEP/MAP) in collaboration
and with the support of the Libyan Environmental General Authority
(EGA), convened an ad hoc meeting of independent experts at Misuratah,
Libya, 15-16 November 2006.
The experts reviewed the old Action Plan in view of the experience
and information gained since it was first implemented in 1999.
Source and Action Plan available here: (http://www.rac-spa.org/carasp.php?id_page=58)
For
further information please visit:
International
Conservation Treaties, D. Hykle:
http://www.iucn-mtsg.org/Publications/Tech_Manual/Tech_Manual_en/41-Hyckle.pdf
European Union Habitats Directive
The Habitats Directive (together with the Birds Directive) forms
the cornerstone of Europe's nature conservation policy. It is built
around two pillars: the Natura 2000 network of protected sites and
the strict system of species protection. All in all the directive
protects over 1.000 animals and plant species and over 200 so called
"habitat types" (e.g. special types of forests, meadows,
wetlands, etc.), which are of European importance.
Link: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/habitatsdirective/index_en.htm
Natura
2000 network
Natura 2000 is the centrepiece of EU nature & biodiversity policy.
It is an EU-wide network of nature protection areas established
under the 1992 Habitats Directive. The aim of the network is to
assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened
species and habitats. It is comprised of Special Areas of Conservation
(SAC) designated by Member States under the Habitats Directive,
and also incorporates Special Protection Areas (SPAs) which they
designate under the 1979 Birds Directive. Natura 2000 is not a system
of strict nature reserves where all human activities are excluded.
Whereas the network will certainly include nature reserves most
of the land is likely to continue to be privately owned and the
emphasis will be on ensuring that future management is sustainable,
both ecologically and economically. The establishment of this network
of protected areas also fulfils a Community obligation under the
UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Natura 2000 applies to Birds Sites and to Habitats Sites, which
are divided into biogeographical regions. It also applies to the
marine environment.
Link: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm
Convention
For The Protection Of The Marine Environment Of The North-East Atlantic
(OSPAR)
The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the
North-East Atlantic was opened for signature at the Ministerial
Meeting of the Oslo and Paris Commissions, Paris, 21-22 September
1992.
The Convention has been signed by all Contracting Parties to the
Oslo Convention and to the Paris Convention (Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland), Luxembourg, Switzerland and the Commission of the European
Communities.
Link: http://www.ospar.org/eng/html/convention/ospar_conv1.htm
Convention
on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area
(HELCOM)
The Helsinki Commission, or HELCOM, works to protect the marine
environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution through
intergovernmental co-operation between Denmark, Estonia, the European
Community, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and
Sweden.
HELCOM is the governing body of the "Convention on the Protection
of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area" - more usually
known as the Helsinki Convention.
HELCOM’s vision for the future is a healthy Baltic Sea environment
with diverse biological components functioning in balance, resulting
in a good ecological status and supporting a wide range of sustainable
economic and social activities.
In pursuing this objective and vision the riparian countries have
jointly pooled their efforts in HELCOM, which is works as:
• an environmental policy maker for the Baltic Sea area by
developing common environmental objectives and actions;
• an environmental focal point providing information about
(i) the state of/trends in the marine environment; (ii) the efficiency
of measures to protect it and (iii) common initiatives and positions
which can form the basis for decision-making in other international
fora;
• a body for developing, according to the specific needs of
the Baltic Sea, Recommendations of its own and Recommendations supplementary
to measures imposed by other international organisations;
• a supervisory body dedicated to ensuring that HELCOM environmental
standards are fully implemented by all parties throughout the Baltic
Sea and its catchment area; and
• a co-coordinating body, ascertaining multilateral response
in case of major maritime incidents.
For three decades HELCOM has been working to protect the marine
environment of the Baltic Sea. This work has been driven by the
specific environmental, economic and social situation in the Baltic
region and the specific sensitivity of the Baltic Sea. The work
of HELCOM has led to improvements in various fields, but further
work is still needed.
Link: http://www.helcom.fi/helcom/en_GB/aboutus/
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