Sustainable Development of Coastal &

Marine Resources:
The Challenges and The Way Forward

A Report by:

Marvi Jaggi,
Intern, State Coordination
NITI Aayog, New Delhi
30th July, 2019

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of abbreviations 3

1. Objectives 4

2. Introduction 5
2.1 Targets for SDG 14 6
2.2 Facts and Figures 9

3. India and Goal14 9

3.1 Challenges 10
3.2 Implementation challenges 10

4. Preparing India To Achieve The SDG 12

4.1 Potential of Blue Economy 13
4.2 Dealing with Data and Information 13
4.3 Checking Marine Pollution 15
4.4 Checking for Oceanic Acidification 17
4.5 Satellite Data 18
4.6 Mangrove Cover Stipulation 18
4.7 Fisheries Specific Targets 18
4.8 Areas Beyond Natural Jurisdiction 20
4.9 The IOC Marine Spatial Planning 21
4.10 Why Marine Spatial Planning Matters 21

5. India’s Way Forward 22

5.1 Overall recommendations 29
5.1.1 Use Of Marine Bio-Technology 31
6 Conclusion 32
7. Acknowledgement 33
8. Footnotes 34
9. References 34

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Abbreviations Used
• ABNJ Area Beyond Natural Jurisdiction
• ALDFG Abandoned Lost And Discarded Fishing Gear
• BE Blue Economy
• BMW Bio-medical Waste
• COMaD Conference On Marine Debris
• CMFRI Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
• EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone
• FAO Food And Agriculture Organisation
• GDP Gross Domestic Product
• IORA Indian Ocean Rim Association
• IMA Indian Medical Association
• IUCN International Union For Conservation Of Nature
• LDC Least Developed Countries
• LME Large Marine Ecosystems
• MDG Millennium Development Goals
• MFF Mangroves For The Future
• NGO Non- Governmental Organisation
• RFMO Regional Fisheries Management Organisation
• RSCAP Regional Seas Conservation And Action Plan
• SDG Sustainable Development Goals
• SIDs Small Island Developing States
• UNCLOS United Nation Convention On The Law Of The Sea
• UNDP United Nation Development Programme

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1. Objectives of The Study

• To analyse the government’s plan of actions towards achieving proper implementation of

sustainable goal 14 and propose areas of potential development related to the SDG.
• Identifying key challenges in the way of achieving timely and successful execution of SDG
goals.
• To suggest ways forward for required developments in major areas including marine and
coastal areas, fisheries, mangrove stipulation, bioremediation, marine spatial planning, and
areas beyond natural jurisdiction.
• To propose an overall set of recommendations for improvising the gray areas and developing
feasibility and efficiency of policies.

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2. Introduction

(Source: Report of United Nations in India)

• Coastal and Marine Resources contribute USD 28 trillion to global economy every year
• Oceans play significant role by way of their temperature, chemistry, currents, biodiversity
• in management of Global Systems that makes Earth habitable for humankind
• Our weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, oxygen, rains and drinking water are
• provided and regulated by Oceans.
• Therefore sustainable management of this essential Global Resource is critical for sustaina-
ble future.

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2.1 Targets for SDG 14

14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from
land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1
Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density

14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant
adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restora-
tion in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1
Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches
14.3
Minimise and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scien-
tific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1
Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregu-
lated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management
plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can
produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1
Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

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By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national
and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1
Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and
overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognising that appropriate and effective
special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an
integral part of the World Trade Organisation fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1
Progress by countries in the degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to
combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least devel-
oped countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable
management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a percentage of GDP in small island developing States, least devel-
oped countries and all countries

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14.A
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, tak-
ing into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines
on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the
contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular
small island developing States and least developed countries

14.A.1
Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.B
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.B.1
Progress by countries in the degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional
framework which recognises and protects access rights for small-scale fisheries

14.C
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing
international law as reflected in the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, (UN-
CLOS),which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of
oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want

14.C.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal,
policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international
law, as reflected in the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation
and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

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2.2 Facts and Figures

75%
The ocean covers three quarters of the Earth’s surface and represents 99 percent of the living
space on the planet by volume.

200,000
The ocean contains nearly 200,000 identified species, but actual numbers may lie in the mil-
lions.

40%
As much as 40 percent of the ocean is heavily affected by pollution, depleted fisheries, loss
of coastal habitats and other human activities.

30%
The ocean absorbs about 30 percent of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the im-
pacts of global warming.

3 billion
More than 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.

US$3 trillion
The market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at US$3 trillion
per year, about 5 percent of global GDP

3. India and Goal 14

According to India’s Fifth National Report to the Convention of Biological Diversity
2014, has a long coastline of about 7,517 km in length which sustains and provides a source
of livelihood to over 250 million people. India is the second largest producer of fish in the
world. The Indian government’s Sagarmala Project, also known as the Blue Revolution, is
working to improve the state of India’s ports and coastlines. To conserve marine ecosystems,

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the government has undertaken a National Plan for the Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems.
Coastal and marine biodiversity protection is a key area of focus for India.

3.1 Challenges
• One of the main challenges to ocean conservation faces is that estimating the true value of
oceans and accounting for the exploitation costs is difficult. Nevertheless, the appraisal
is only based on current value of marketable services and goods; it does not consider the
intangible worth of oceans, such as biodiversity, water filtration by wetlands and man-
groves, as well as climate regulation
• Marine Debris — Marine debris is a complex cultural and multi-sectoral problem that im-
poses tremendous ecological, economic, and social costs around the world. One of the sub-
stantial barriers to addressing marine debris is the absence of adequate scientific research,
assessment, and monitoring. Bans, such as those on plastic bags have been inadequately
imposed.
• Ocean acidification — There is sufficient evidence available of localised acidification in
India. Data from Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System shows that waters off
Versova in Maharasthra had a low pH and dissolved oxygen was negligible. According to
union ministry of earth sciences’ 2010 annual report, water quality at Thane creek indicated
that organic load was being discharged in the water body. There are no stringent rules or
penalties placed over unaccounted and untreated effluent discharge from various sources
that finally runs off into the seas causing increased acidification.
• Fisheries —Marine Fishing Regulation Acts weakly enforced. The focus is mostly on zo-
nation and gear bans. There is no serious look at capacity as a whole and the equitable dis-
tribution of the benefits to all fishermen. There is lack of clarity on how to close what is an
“open access” system.

3.2 Implementation Challenges

In the course of their activities, individuals and commercial enterprises that use the ocean on a
constant basis take decisions that affect the human impacts on the ocean. The United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea establishes the legal framework within which all activities
in the oceans and seas must be carried out. National governments and regional and global in-
tergovernmental organisations all have their parts to play in regulating those activities.

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However, each of those many players tends to have a limited view of the ocean that is focussed
on their own sectoral interests. Without a sound framework in which to work, they may well
fail to take into account the ways in which their decisions and actions interact with those of
others. Such failures can add to the complexity of the manifold problems that exist. While there
has been a lot of emphasis to focus on ecosystem services that support human well-being, it
has to be understood that sustainable management of oceans and seas shall deal with both re-
sources that are a part of market economy (fish, hydrocarbons or minerals) or the non- marketed
ecosystem services that the ocean provides to the planet. Consideration has to be given for
scientific understanding of those ecosystem services and the Earth’s hydrological cycle, inter-
actions between air and sea, primary production and ocean - based carbonate production and
the aesthetic, cultural, religious and spiritual ecosystem services (including some cultural ob-
jects that are in trade).

The governance of oceans and seas also pose significant challenges for both policy making and
implementation. According to a recent report from the United Nations Environment Pro-
gramme (UNEP) on the governance of marine and coastal areas, ‘Marine areas and resources
under national jurisdiction, on the other hand, have relatively poorly defined rights of access
and use, and are rarely subject to private property rights, such areas and resources generally
being recognised as state property. State ownership of marine areas and resources within the
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) has been legally specified under the United Nations Con-
vention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982), but the reality is that marine areas and re-
sources are subject to complex combinations of state, open access (often de facto where state
capacity to regulate is lacking) and common property (often having evolved in seas subject to
de facto open access) regimes, private property regimes being a rarity in our seas, hence the
customary principle of the ‘freedom of the seas’ that UNCLOS both reinforces and challenges’

Historically, India’s focus on oceans and marine resources management has been forward look-
ing. With close to 129 institutions in the country working on marine and ocean related issues,
largely supported by four ministries of Government of India, the challenge is the lack of coor-
dination and cooperation among many of these institutions and programmes. Case in point is
the lack of one single dataset of information on marine resources, ocean management actions
and status and trends in national and state level resource availability and use issues.

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A quick assessment of the global targets and related indicators being suggested as well as under
development indicate that though all of the targets and indicators may be relevant for India, it
has to spend considerable efforts to collate the information and data to deal with the indicators

Examples of these include, Target 14.c where there is no single institution to deal with regional
and global ocean governance and management issue. The Ministry of Earth Sciences is the
focal point ministry in the country to provide input on regional and global science based issues
for policy making while the Ministry of External Affairs represent the country at the interna-
tional meetings and negotiations. There is need for enhanced cooperation amongst these Min-
istries along with Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Rural Development, Min-
istry of Agriculture and state level counterparts to effectively realise the Goal and targets on
oceans and seas.

4. Preparing India to Achieve the SDG

India’s development interests and priorities seem to be going through a renewed phase of pol-
icy prescriptions directed by the new political environment in the country. The diversity of
issues to be addressed, challenges to coordination, options to monitor and evaluate progress,
partnerships to be created across strata of the society, emerging dimensions of bilateral and
multilateral diplomacy and effectiveness of resource deployment form the core of issues that
India need to address to move forward national debates related to adoption and subsequent
implementation of SDGs at national level.

To support kick-starting such actions and prioritisation, the following may be not just relevant
but important considerations.

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4.1 Potential Of Blue Economy

Blue economy (BE) has been an influential concept in the Indian Ocean region and is a note-
worthy discourse among the members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

Since its conceptualisation, BE gained importance in India’s strategic and development vi-
sion and has been stated as a tool for India’s development emphasising on the protection of
shared marine spaces for security and growth for all in the region.’ This concept holds par-
ticular contemporary relevance and is defined by maritime regionalisation.

The IOR is of high environmental, strategic and economic relevance and possesses a variety of
resources in abundance. A sustained and sustainable growth of blue economy would hence
require synergetic effort by the government to collaborate with the private sector and broader
communities ,including the scientific ones. There needs to be a regional approach to increase
productivity. That involves an increased policy focus of Indian Ocean littoral states towards
BE which would draw attention towards the economic potential the shared marine resources
and their capacity to contribute towards larger development imperatives such as poverty reduc-
tion, food security and enhanced economic opportunities.
In this context an increased political and economic attention needs to be provided to foster
better governance and security for its vast resources. It is hence critical to form action plans to
better govern and organise the resources in the region. There is a need to look at cost effective
technologies and honing capacity skills to overcome the barriers of sustainable development.
A regional approach would cultivate bigger and less volatile growth opportunities in the region.
Hence, evidence based policy support by nuanced data is of utmost importance.

4.2 Dealing with Data and Information

One of the critical needs to assess progress in implementing national actions to achieve the
SDG 14 is to collate data and information related to agreed targets and indicators. Given the
diversity of targets and suggestive indicators, it can be safely assumed that there will be a need
for significant amount of data and information that need to be collated and analysed.

We must, move towards properly accounting the worth of our ecosystems, so as to deliberate
the full benefits and costs in political and economic decision-making. Such diversity of data
and information need to be collected and collated from a wide range of actors, including civil
society organisations to effectively use the data for measuring progress. Current experiences

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from India on such consolidated reporting using the MDG framework indicate that either data
on indicators are not available and/or they are not being assessed appropriately by various
agencies.
India would need to look at the option of creating a special unit within its Statistics and
Programme Implementation Department of the Government that may be mandated to work
on identifying data and information gaps, suggesting options and indicators for measuring
progress aligning with the global indicators, create a network of ministries, institutions and
civil society organisations to generate data and assess the same. Given the expertise available
in India on a range of issues relevant to the SDGs in general, The occurrence of litter on the
seafloor has been far less investigated than in surface waters or on beaches, principally be-
cause of the high cost and the technical difficulties involved in sampling the seafloor.

There is a gap in scientific research to better understand the sources, fates, and impacts of
marine debris. Scalable, statistically rigorous and, where possible, standardised monitoring
protocols are needed to monitor changes in conditions as a result of efforts to prevent and re-
duce the impacts of marine debris. There is a gap in information needed to evaluate impacts
of marine debris on coastal and marine species, habitats, economic health, human health and
safety, and social values. More information is also needed to understand the status and trends
in amounts, distribution and types of marine debris. There is also a gap in capacity in the
form of new technologies and methods to detect and remove accumulations of marine debris,
as well as in means of bringing home to the public, the significance of marine debris and the
important part that the public can play in combating it.

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4.3 Checking on Marine Pollution
India has a marine litter policy in line with the UN environment’s global ‘clean seas cam-
paign that India joined on world environment day 2018

As part of this exercise, the experts from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information
Services will work to gauge the pollution in the coastal regions and to find it sources so we can
prevent the plastic waste entering into the oceans at the first place. This will be done in collab-
oration with the state government.Gauging marine litter pollution and their sources can help
nip the problem in the bud.

• In case of land activities proper rules and regulations need to be provided regarding the
industrial discharge and fertiliser run off along with managing nutrient pollution.
• A policy advisory should be prepared and submitted to the Government on amelioration
and management of marine debris within 6 months. This policy should outline the steps to
be taken by current regulatory authorities of the State and Central Governments.
• Data acquisition on marine debris has to be systematically carried out and properly stored
for retrieval in the form of a database. Research on marine debris has been initiated by
CMFRI in all maritime states of India and this organisation may be identified as the Nodal
Agency for marine debris data and policy.
• Thrust must be given for intensive research on micro-plastics, nano-plastics and chemicals
adsorbed from plastic materials and macro-plastics into the marine ecosystem. Impacts on
bioaccumulation and bio-magnification have to be carefully studied.
• Practically no studies have been made on the exact effects of nanoparticles and leached out
elements of plastics on water quality and biota. Emphasis has to be given for such research
programs.
• Civic bodies should establish basic infrastructure for solid waste management including
collection at household and commercial levels including public places and marine facilities,
and their segregation, transport and responsible disposal. Effective mechanisms and action
plans to reduce, reuse and upcycle, and recycle non-biodegradable wastes need to be devel-
oped.
• Plastics collected from households can be utilised for road laying. Plastone blocks and
other useful products can also be developed in each district. Such programs should be en-
couraged should which would reduce waste which would ultimately reduce marine debris
to a large extent.

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• Considering the huge quantity of litter generated in tourist destinations, norms should be
developed especially to prevent use of single use plastic items. Special facilities to dispose
debris should be developed and properly maintained.
• Depending on socio-economic circumstances, provide incentives to develop alternate prod-
ucts which are eco-friendly and minimise waste production.
• Develop facilities to collect land based litter which has entered the rivers and coastal waters
by using specially designed collecting mechanisms.
• Based on 50 successful models in collection, processing, treatment and management of bio-
degradable and non-biodegradable wastes presented at COMAD 2018, facilitate collabora-
tive industry partnership to increase recovery and recycling efforts in particular with re-
spect to plastics and allied products.
• Organise adequate awareness programmes at various levels – stakeholders, local people
along the maritime states, NGOs and school children, for addressing the issue of marine de-
bris. Attempts should be made to include responsible waste disposal as part of school cur-
riculum.
• Integrate management approaches across the sectors and involve stakeholders from the land
and marine based sectors for controlling marine debris by adopting the principle of 3-Rs,
reduce, reuse and recycle. Encourage “refuse” strategy for disposable plastic whenever and
wherever possible.
• Considering the quantum of biomedical waste generated, more bio medical waste treatment
(BMW) treatment plants should established, along with the creation of public awareness
campaign as per guidance from IMA.
• Hackathons, E-platforms and web based application platforms including those for connect-
ing households to bring about informed action at the community level and to connect the
point sources of waste generation to the recyclers and upcylcers, need to be developed ur-
gently.
• Large scale drives need to be initiated at local Self Government levels for effective reduc-
tion in the use of single-use disposable materials, collection of bio and solid wastes and
their efficient recycling and reuse, taking Kolayad Panchayat in Kannur District of Kerala
as a model.
• Scrap should be considered in zero tax Category to encourage people involved in handling
scrap. Environment friendly services are now attracting 18% GST, which would discourage
private sector to invest or undertake such project. This should be reduced.

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• Coastal police station in Neendakara, Kollam, Kerala with its initiative ‘Shuchithwa
theeram Surakshitha theeram” (Clean coast, safe coast) program is involved in clean-up
drives and controlling public littering along the coast. Such programs can be promoted by
the Government and special funds can also be allotted for implementing these programs.
• Putting a timeline on identification of resources of pollution and decreasing carbon emis-
sions is imperative.

4.4 Checking For Ocean Acidification

Carbon dioxide can make seawater acidic through a relatively straightforward chemical pro-
cess. Between a quarter and a third of our atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution dis-
solves into an ocean, where it reacts with water (trusty H2O) in such a way that hydrogen ions
— the essence of acidity — squirt out. The reactions lower overall pH levels. They can also
take heavy tolls on farmed and wild marine life by stealing away chemicals that many shellfish
and coral need to build their shells and skeletons.
Oceanwide changes in pH levels have been, in the words of the recent Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change assessment, “profound.” Measuring the changes underway, however, is not
straightforward. Most pH sensors produce questionable data, and ocean acidification
monitoring stations are growing in number but remain sparse.
Use of sensors for monitoring not only temperature, salinity and location, but also acidity and
nitrate and oxygen content in the water can prove to be helpful but is an area for potential
technological improvement .
Stricter policies with regard to controlled carbon emissions into the atmosphere and those per-
taining to industrial discharge as well as agricultural run offs need to be put into force.

4.5 Satellite Data

There’s no satellite in space that’s capable of directly measuring ocean acidity, but an
international team of scientists writing in the journal Environmental Science & Technology
described last week how satellite measurements of sea surface temperatures, salinity and
plankton activity could be combined and used to estimate pH.
Using funding from the European Space Agency, the researchers, from Europe, the U.S. and
India, concluded that using satellite data in this way may be “the most efficient way to monitor

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the ocean surface” — yet the “potential capabilities of space-based measurements” in ocean
acidification research “remain largely untapped.”
That requires for a comprehensive scientific cooperation at all levels. A Policy towards
regulation of carbon sink is the need of the hour.
An action plan for use of Satellite imagery can also be put in place for the early detection of
eutrophication that renders many water bodies futile.

4.6 Mangrove cover stipulation

Mangroves for the future (MFF) is a unique partner-led initiative to promote investment in
coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. Co-chaired by IUCN and UNDP,
MFF provides a platform for collaboration among the many different agencies, sectors and
countries which are addressing challenges to coastal ecosystem and livelihood issues. The goal
is to promote an integrated ocean-wide approach to coastal management.

To strengthen the collaborative measures taken under MFF and strengthening of information
base would be a good option to promote sustainable capacity development.

4.7 Fisheries Specific Targets

• In fisheries sector, India needs integrative approaches to deal with management and adapta-
tion.

• Checking overfishing, and doing away with harmful fish subsidies should be the first step
towards managing the fishery sector.

• Science based management plans need to be put into place in order to restore fish stocks in
the shortest time feasible.

• Abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) has emerged as a new issue in In-
dian waters. A comprehensive plan of action for identifying the areas of frequent occur-
rence of entanglement and loss of fishing gear, retrieval of such lost fishing gear, and pre-
vention of ghost fishing by ALDFG need to be taken up involving fisher communities, ex-
perienced scuba divers and other stakeholders.

• Buy back and recycling of retrieved ALDFGs are to be developed.

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• A procedure for marking of fishing gears need to be evolved, following FAO guidelines,
and implemented for traceability purposes.

• Research on technological measures to minimise ghost fishing by ALDFGs need to be

enhanced and proven technological and operational measures need to be popularised among
fishers. Besides, awareness programs to fishermen on dangers to marine biota by ALDFGs
should be organised. State Fisheries Departments should be made aware of ALDFGs and a
retrieval mechanism should be initiated to remove lost gear. A helpline should be estab-
lished to report the gear loss by fishermen.

• Contour mapping of sea bottom up to 30 m depth should be initiated to identify ghost net
hotspots along the Indian coasts.

• All trawl fishermen throughout the country may be encouraged to bring back to shore non-
biodegradable wastes recovered during trawling and hand it over to civic authorities or
NGOs for processing and recycling. A replicable model is the “Suchitwa Sagaram” pro-
gram organised by Kerala State in association with trawl operators/owners of Kollam
District, Kerala.

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4.8 Areas Beyond Natural Jurisdiction (ABNJ)

Marine areas beyond natural jurisdiction, commonly known as high seas are those areas of
ocean over which no one nation has sole responsibility for management. The global sus-
tainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the areas beyond natural juris-
diction(ABNJ) is a potential programme for efficient and sustainable management of fisheries
resources and biodiversity conservation. It is coordinated by the food and agricultural
organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in close collaboration with the United Nations En-
vironment Programme and the World Bank.

• Enhancing knowledge about ABNJ, inter alia, by enhancing the capacity for marine
scientific research that can contribute to the study, conservation and sustainable use of
marine biodiversity in ABNJ and by broadening the understanding of the interconnections
between land-based activities and ABNJ (e.g. ocean acidification, marine litter) and their
socio-ecological linkages I can be an effective prospect.
• It could include financial support for technical assistance and training to improve the ability
to collect, exchange, and analyse key data relevant to ocean health, resilience, and
productivity.
• Support the collective identification of key environmental projects in ABNJ such as ocean
monitoring and observatory infrastructure and measures that reduce negative impacts of
pollution in ABNJ from any land-based, vessel-based or off-shore sources. Measures should
start from the perspective of the impact of pollution on eco- systems in ABNJ and hence be
multi-sectoral in nature. Consideration could be given to a long- term ocean sustainability
finance mechanism to provide a ‘blue finance hub’ for knowledge, skills and project
preparation support that promote safe and sustainable use of resources in the high seas and
the seabed taking into account cumulative environmental impacts.

• Support further development of innovative area-based tools for integrated ecosystem

protection-based management and a blue economy in ABNJ, in particular tools and
approaches such as marine protected areas and large scale marine spatial planning processes
to address the combined impacts of multiple stressors on marine biodiversity. In addition,
enhance the capacity of relevant large marine ecosystems (LME ) bodies, Regional Seas
Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs), and Regional Fisheries Management

20
 Organisations (RFMOs) to act as platforms for integrated conservation and management of
ABNJ that are adjacent to their existing regional mandates.

• Enhance the ability of flag states, coastal states and port states to implement their existing
rights and obligations under UNCLOS and other relevant international instruments, with a
particular focus on protection of the marine environment.

4.9 The IOC Marine Spatial Planning Programme

The Marine Spatial Planning Programme helps to implement ecosystem-based management by

finding space for biodiversity, conservation and sustainable economic development in marine
areas. Marine Spatial Planning makes this possible by:
• Developing a step-by-step approach for implementing marine spatial planning;
• Documenting marine spatial planning initiatives around the world;
• Identifying good practices of marine spatial planning;
• Collecting references and literature on marine spatial planning;
• Enhancing understanding about marine spatial planning through publications;
• Building capacity through training marine spatial planning professionals
• MSP holds the potential to catalyse the elaboration and implementation of integrated
management approaches that address the cumulative and interactive consequences of
human activities over space and time ,thus contributing to the “[maximization and
conservation of] ecosystem services”

4.10 Why Marine Spatial Planning Matters

Demand for marine goods and services, such as food, energy, and habitats, usually exceed the
capacity of marine areas to meet all of the demands simultaneously and can lead to users user
conflict or user vs environment conflicts which arise from the collective impacts of
anthropogenic activities the marine environment, mostly in regard to destruction of marine
habitat. In many cases, users have free access to marine resources, including space, that leads
to excessive over use and eventual destruction of resources. Some public process must be used
to decide what mix of outputs from the marine area should be produced over time and space.

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MSP is hence potential programme to expedite and streamline the efficient implementation
sectoral policies in a manner that fosters a rational use of ocean space. As an integrated, area
based management tool, it can be used to analyse and allocate the temporal distribution of
human activities in the required areas and achieve the economic and ecological objectives. It
is also one of the pragmatic options for implementing the ecosystem approach. Hence India
needs to work strongly in the said sector.

5. India’s Way Forward

Achieving SDG 14 in India needs to be measured using metrics available at state and national
levels. The Goal can be achieved if there is concerted collaboration and consolidation of actions
at national and state levels.

For this to happen, it is important to inform and facilitate effective participation of all states in
deciding on implementation of the SDG 14, especially in relation to using the targets and indi-
cators. States in India offer a spread-out platform for effective and speedy realisation of the
SDG 14 target.

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Table : Tweaking the Indicators Table : Tweaking the Indicators to Suit India

Targets Indicators Relevant National Indicator

• Run off into rivers, seas and

oceans.

• Amount of waste water flows

Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent
directly into the seas and
and significantly reduce ma- 14.1.1 Index of coastal
oceans.
rine pollution of all kinds, in eutrophication and
particular from land-based ac- floating plastic debris
• Level of eutrophication of estu-
tivities, including marine de- density.
aries.
bris and nutrient pollution.

• Number of initiatives by state

governments on protection of
coastal and marine resources.

Target 14.2: By 2020, sus-

tainably manage and protect • Number of Marine Protected
marine and coastal ecosys- Areas designated and managed.
14.2.1 Proportion of
tems to avoid significant ad-
national exclusive eco-
verse impacts, including by • Extent of restored mangroves
nomic zones managed
strengthening their resilience, and estuaries.
using ecosystem-based
and take action for their resto-
approaches. • Spatial planning strategies for
ration in order to achieve
healthy and productive coastal and marine areas.
oceans.

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 • National climate policy that
considers a measurable de- car-
boinisation strategy.
Target 14.3: Minimise and 14.3.1 Average marine • Reduction in the amount of
address the impacts of ocean acidity (pH) measured CHC emissions in the AFOLU
acidification, including at agreed suite of repre- sector.
through enhanced scientific sentative sampling sta-
cooperation at all levels. tions. • Ocean acidity measurements.

• National Climate Change Ac-

tion Index.

• Sustainable harvesting practices

Target 14.4: By 2020, effec-
indices for fisheries and coastal
tively regulate harvesting, and
resources.
end overfishing, illegal, unre-
ported and unregulated fish-
• Certification schemes for sus-
ing and destructive fishing
14.4.1 Proportion of tainable fishery catch and man-
practices and implement sci-
fish stocks within bio- agement.
ence-based management
logically sustainable
plans, to restore fish stocks in • Synergies between state and na-
level.
the shortest time feasible at tional level organisations and
least to levels that can pro- institutions on developing and
duce maximum sustainable implementing sustainable bio-
yield as determined by their resource management plans and
biological characteristics. actions.

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Target 14.5: By 2020, con-
serve
at least 10 per cent of coastal
14.5.1 Coverage of pro- • National and state level marine
and marine areas, consistent
tected areas in relation and ocean resource conservation
with national and interna-
to marine areas. plans developed and used.
tional law and based on best
available scientific infor-
mation.

Target 14.6: By 2020, pro-

hibit certain forms of fish- 14.6.1 Progress by countries • Reduction and subsequent
eries subsidies which con- in the degree elimination of subsidies at na-
tribute to overcapacity and of implementation of interna- tional and state levels that is
overfishing, and eliminate tional instruments aiming to not consistent with regional
subsidies that contribute to combat illegal, unreported and and global practice and stand-
illegal, unreported and un- unregulated fishing. ards.
regulated

25
 • Social and economic benefits
of fishing and resource
fishing fishing, and refrain
management assessed for
from introducing new such
artisanal, sustenance and
subsidies, recognising that
commercial fisheries and
appropriate and effective 14.7.1 Sustainable fisheries as
marine resources.
special and differential a percentage of GDP in small
treatment for developing island developing States, least
• Reduction and subsequent
and least developed coun- developed countries and all
ban on use of destructive
tries should be an integral countries.
fishing practices.
part of the World Trade
Organisation fisheries sub- • Extent of coastal area
sidies negotiation. restoration promoting
enhanced biodiversity.

26
Target 14.a: Increase sci-
entific knowledge, develop
research capacity and
transfer marine technol-
ogy, taking into account • Nature and impact of collab-
the Intergovernmental oration between public and
Oceanographic Commis- private institutions on re-
sion Criteria and Guide- source management and use
lines on the Transfer of 14.a.1 Proportion of total re-
Marine Technology, in or- search budget allocated to re-
der search in the field of marine • Measures to enhance the im-
technology. pact of investments into in-
to improve ocean health stitutions
and to enhance the contri- – public sector – that results
bution of marine biodiver- in collective impacts on re-
sity to the development of source use and enhancement.
developing countries, in
particular small island de-
veloping States and least
developed countries.

14.b.1 Progress by countries

Target 14.b: Provide ac- in the degree of application of • Nature and type of access to
cess for small-scale arti- a legal/ regulatory/policy/ in- marine resources for small-
sanal fishers to marine re- stitutional framework which scale artisanal fishers and sub-
sources and markets. recognises and protects access sistence fisheries.
rights for small-scale fisheries.

27
28
5.1 Overall Recommendations

• Coastal waters have been over exploited as have been many species. Coastal eco-sytems
are more rapidly degrading than marine eco-systems due to-

• Urbanisation

• Pollution from land based sources

• Power plants on the coast

• Port development activities

• Amendments and Dilution of Coastal Regulation Zone and its implementation which needs
to be reversed and the implementation made stronger.

• Complex undocumented tenure systems on the coast leading to loss of coastal land to other
sectors. Displacement of fishing villages and strong negative impact on the livelihoods of
fishermen

• Centralised vessel identification and monitoring system should be improvised to decrease

vessel sourced pollution. India has a vast coastline which is susceptible to pollution by mar-
itime oil spill accidents and in the wake of recent incidents it has become important to assess
the efficiency of Indian scheme of laws. Any oil spill response requires inter agency coor-
dination. Action plans for necessary preparedness measures needs to be addressed col-
lectively by the government so as to cause the least amount of pollution.

• Public availability of information of ecologically sensitive zones (inclusive but not limited
to MPAs)

• Address poaching, by-catch, accidents of mammals, top predators and turtles

• Species specific marine fishing ban based on life-cycle of the species.

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• Ecosystem-based fishery management (quota, hypoxia, jellyfish) can lead to sustainable
outputs.

• Eco-tourism and Citizen science for monitoring, awareness and alternate livelihood

• The fishing sector needs to be given more importance in the current administrative set up in
Government of India. For India, World Wide Fund is potential platform for col-
laboration and form a member network to monitor endangered species, as well as ensure
prosperity of costal communities as well as restoration of fish stocks, supporting small scale
fisheries and sustainable aquaculture.

• The government needs to work with fishermen, local communities and business sectors to
implement best practices and sustainable use of marine resources.

• Improved coordination between Sectors/Ministries/Departments using marine/coastal

resources and space

• Strengthen regulatory framework—both laws and implementation mechanism; overlap of

jurisdiction to be sorted out.

• Environmental clearances and post clearance follow up are often weak and need to be more
robust. Marine Terms of Reference are often inadequately framed. The clearance bodies and
their processes are limited and they need to be further strengthened. Follow up in most cases
is almost non-existent.

• A collaboration of offshore oil and gas community with the renewable ocean energy sector
can be done to undertake a gap analysis vis-a-vis oil and gas exploration and to correctly
tap the resources in the sea.

• Review of the overall governance system that affect SDG 14 implementation.

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5.1.1 USE OF MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY

1. Setting up of a zero waste recirculation system, and ensuring stricter laws on waste
disposal by run offs from agricultural lands as well as industrial set ups can contribute
to better management of waste.

2. Use of marine algae, tapping the use of novel compounds that can be used as potential
health care products.

3. Using bio remediation as well as bio sensing techniques for monitoring of marine sites
to tap sources and solutions of unsustainability.

• Also ensuring ways of sustainable tourism and increasing awareness among people through
campaigns regarding the need of sustainable tourism can be really helpful.

• In areas like Gulf of kutch , Andaman and Nicobar, Gulf of Mannar, there is scope for
enhancing action plans to prevent misuse of coastal resources with special focus on coral
reefs. There should be zoning for tourism development, education and scientific purposes.
Coral reef research in India is still at a very undeveloped stage. Realistic management plans
involving local community is urgently required and common agenda and focus areas should
be marked as opposed to different target areas by different marine institutes.

• Top-down fisheries management to be replaced by joint management of fisheries with fish-

ermen issues. Integrated ocean management ensures key ecosystems are protected through
the best measures, enhancing ecological connectivity that is important for the marine species
as well as the processes involved in the ocean. With these measures in places, rightly man-
aged and enforced, the health of the ecosystem can be boosted.

• Improve information available for resource management—with disaggregated information.

Valuation of coastal and marine resources essential for go-no go decisions on projects im-
pacting marine and coastal environment. As the fisheries in coastal and marine waters are
divided between the State and Central government, there’s hardly any coherence and con-
vergence between the two governments. Convergence should not only be between the State
and Central government but also between the Ministries and Departments of the Central
Government and between the departments in the State government.

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6. Conclusion

The advantage as well as challenge for a country like India in dealing with sustainable de-
velopment is the need for outreach at various levels and using diverse set of approaches. While
a national framework on SDGs is needed to channel investments, finances, expertise and out-
reach, it will be very important to design differential approaches to deliver the actions for im-
pactful results. The role of people-centric approaches to sustainable development action can
only be strengthened using multiple interventions at multiple levels.

India’s asset is its diversity of institutions and expertise available to deal with issues related to
achieving SDG 14. While the current plans and approaches need an overhaul to effectively deal
with achieving the goal and targets of this SDG, it is also important to take the respon-
sibility and ownership of achieving the same to States, local bodies and the civil society
including the corporate sector.

NITI Aayog with this mandate and ability to oversee action to deal with SDGs needs to have a
special focus on enhancing synergies and cooperation amongst agencies and institutions as well
as ensure that finances that are deployed on issues related to SDGs are relevant, appro-
priate and impactful. Evaluating trade offs between economics, social values and environ-
ment sustainability is the need of the hour for an orderly and balanced approach towards
sustainability

While India can pride itself as a society with historical consciousness to deal with sustainable
development, it cannot bask in the past glory when the indications are that the society is fast
moving towards unsustainable production and consumption patterns with local people at the
receiving end of the vagaries of economic, social and environmental wrong-doings. It needs to
equip itself with real agendas and form feasible action plans s as to carry out its objectives for
a sustainable world coherently.

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7. Acknowledgement

I, Marvi Jaggi, Intern, State coordination ,would like to express heartfelt gratitude and thanks
to Ms. Deepika Lohia, Director, (state coordination), NITI Aayog, Mr. Yogesh Suri, Senior
Adviser, NITI Aayog and Mr. Shashvat Singh, Young Professional, NITI Aayog, under
whose able guidance and support, I could complete my report successfully, dated 27th July
2019.

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8. Footnotes
http://www.fao.org/3/x5627e/x5627e06.htm

http://www.coralvita.co

http://ris.org.in/pdf/SDGs_Report_Chapter_14.pdf

https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/marine-protected-areas-and-climate-change

https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/246_3_MarineEnvironmentProtection.aspx

http://wwf.panda.org/our_work/oceans/solutions/protection/

9. References
http://ris.org.in/pdf/SDGs_Report_Chapter_14.pdf

GOAL 14: Life below water | UN Environmentwww.unenvironment.org/.../sustainable-de-

velopment-goals/...sustainable-development...

SDG 14 - Conserve & sustain the oceans, seas & marine resourceshttps://www.mdgmoni-
tor.org/sdg14-conserve-and-sustain-the-oceans-seas-and-marine...

SDG 14 - Conserve & sustain the oceans, seas & marine resourceshttps://www.mdgmoni-
tor.org/sdg14-conserve-and-sustain-the-oceans-seas-and-marine...

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es504849s

https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/marine-protected-areas-and-climate-change

https://unctad.org/en/Pages/DITC/Trade-and-Environment/UNCTAD-FAO-UNEP-joint.aspx

http://www.coralvita.co

https://niti.gov.in/content/localizing-sdgs-early-lessons-india

http://wwf.panda.org/our_work/oceans/solutions/protection/

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