Marine Connectivity Policy Resources

Connectivity conservation is widely recognized as a key requirement for ensuring effective marine and coastal protection and sustaining essential ecological processes of the planet’s oceans. As the globe races towards various environmental targets, countries require policy tools that inform effective management and protection of oceans and coasts, taking connectivity into consideration.

Studies consistently show that fully protected marine reserves benefit people and the planet by: safeguarding biodiversity, improving fish populations, strengthening connections between indigenous communities and the natural resources their cultures depend on, providing ecological benefits to neighboring ecosystems, protecting predators and maintaining ecosystem stability, and strengthening the ocean’s resilience to the impacts of a changing climate.

Despite the clear benefits, to date, the marine policy tools lag behind those in terrestrial environments, often because marine connectivity is difficult to measure. As scientists gain knowledge of distinctive marine features and their role relative to connectivity, policy on connectivity becomes increasingly widespread throughout marine disciplines, providing important legal instruments for conservation.

 

PolicyYearDescriptionApplications to Marine Connectivity
UN Resolution 75/271: Nature knows no borders: transboundary cooperation a key factor for biodiversity conservation, restoration and sustainable use2021Building on the Millenium Development Goals and seeking to resolve their "unfinished business", It highlights the dedication that is needed around the world to achieve the aims of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), as well as contributions that can be made in this regard as nature based solutions for climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and avoiding future pandemics.UN Resolution 75/271 marks the first-ever such General Assembly resolution on transboundary conservation and the first time that the terms “connectivity” and “ecological corridors” have been included at this high level of decision making representing the 193 Member States of the United Nations. Key passages of the resolution related to ecological connectivity include: "Stressing the need for connectivity between ecosystems and cooperation in order to maintain healthy and intact ecosystems and habitats; Highlighting the need to maintain connectivity across ecosystems, which often requires cooperation among range States inhabited by a certain species; and Encouraging Member States and international organizations and other relevant stakeholders to emphasize the importance of protecting vulnerable ecosystems and their connectivity."
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Resolution 12.26, Improving Ways of Addressing Connectivity in the Conservation of Migratory Species2020Since 1983, the Convention on Migratory Species has provided the primary specialized intergovernmental framework for cooperative efforts on issues of connectivity. The convention aims for a “favorable conservation status” for migratory species. "(a) to conserve and, where feasible and appropriate, restore those habitats of the species which are of importance in removing the species from danger of extinction; (b) to prevent, remove, compensate for or minimize, as appropriate, the adverse effects of activities or obstacles that seriously impede or prevent the migration of the species; and (c) to the extent feasible and appropriate, to prevent, reduce or control factors that are endangering or are likely to further endanger the species."Resolution 12.26 emphasizes the importance of "identifying, prioritizing, developing and managing protected areas and other effective area based conservation measures, both within and beyond areas of national jurisdiction, taking account inter alia of the best available science, the need for connectivity to be a key factor in the definition of appropriate conservation management units, including at the landscape or seascape scale, and the need for actions to be addressed to the connections between places as well as to the places themselves." And that "evaluating the sufficiency and coherence of ecological networks in functional and qualitative terms as well as in terms of extent and distribution be a key factor in the definition of appropriate conservation management units, including at the landscape or seascape scale."
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Resolution 12.7, The role of ecological networks in the conservation of migratory species2020Since 1983, the Convention on Migratory Species has provided the primary specialized intergovernmental framework for cooperative efforts on issues of connectivity. The convention aims for a “favorable conservation status” for migratory species. "(a) to conserve and, where feasible and appropriate, restore those habitats of the species which are of importance in removing the species from danger of extinction; (b) to prevent, remove, compensate for or minimize, as appropriate, the adverse effects of activities or obstacles that seriously impede or prevent the migration of the species; and (c) to the extent feasible and appropriate, to prevent, reduce or control factors that are endangering or are likely to further endanger the species."Resolution 12.7 "highlights the critical importance of area-based connectivity for conservation and management in the CMS context, inviting the exploration of the applicability of ecological networks to marine migratory species and recommending actions for advancing the design and implementation of ecological networks to address the needs of migratory species." It also notably "invites Parties, in collaboration with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), NGOs and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to enhance the quality, monitoring, management, extent, distribution and connectivity of terrestrial and aquatic protected areas, including marine areas... so as to address as effectively as possible the needs of migratory species throughout their life cycles and migratory ranges, including their need for habitat areas that offer resilience to change, including climate change, taking into account the wider landscape and seascape."
UN Convention Law of the Sea, Proposal for a revised draft text of the agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction2020The Law of the Sea Convention defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.Negotiations for revisions to the agreement on marine biodiversity conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ)s is underway. Article 14 in the proposal, 'measures such as area based management tools, including marine protected areas' includes an objective to "establish a system of ecologically representative marine protected areas that are connected [and effectively and equitably managed". Also, most notably, Annex I, 'indicative criteria for identification of areas' includes "Ecological connectivity [and/or coherence]" as a criteria for marine protected area designation.
IUCN Guidelines for Conserving Connectivity through Ecological Networks and Corridors 2020This guidebook describes the theoretical basis for connectivity conservation. Developed by the Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group of IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas, it brings together the science of connectivity, and a range of case studies from terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, to provide practical solutions for meeting connectivity challenges.While centered on terrestrial connectivity considerations, this set of guidelines is a basis for what marine connectivity guidelines can grow out from. It is important to align marine connectivity vocabulary and conceptual models where possible, to establish a scientifically cohesive and acurate means to promote the field and related policy.
IUCN World Conservation Congress: Resolution 6.087 Awareness of connectivity conservation definition and guidelines2016The World Conservation Congress brings together government, civil society, indigenous peoples, business, and academia, with the goal of conserving the environment and harnessing the solutions nature offers to global challenges.Resolution 6.087 "Promotes awareness of ecological connectivity conservation in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework: from local to international levels. It recommends "A. exploring how to document connectivity issues between terrestrial, freshwater, intertidal and marine environments; B. promoting information exchange and data collection for assessing, monitoring, and measuring ecological connectivity, and to enhance implementation of area-based and species-based commitments; C. developing the evidence base, identifying and developing case studies and providing best practices and practical guidance to inform policies, laws, plans and operational instruments that support ecological connectivity and species range-shi due to climate change, while mitigating or preventing the unintended spread of invasive species; D. providing technical and scientific expertise to identify key drivers, species, areas, ecosystems and processes, especially in indigenous areas, urban areas and working lands; and E. supporting conservation efforts to maintain and restore connectivity."
IUCN World Conservation Congress: Resolution 5.056 Enhancing connectivity conservation through international networking of best practice management (Jeju, 2012)2012The World Conservation Congress brings together government, civil society, indigenous peoples, business, and academia, with the goal of conserving the environment and harnessing the solutions nature offers to global challenges.Resolution 5.056 called on States to continue to establish national ecological networks and connectivity conservation areas to strengthen biodiversity protection: it "1. requests states to consolidate and continue to establish national ecological networks and connectivity conservation areas to strengthen the protection of biodiversity, including, as appropriate, biological corridors and buffer zones around protected areas; 2. Calls on states to continue to strengthen the integration of biodiversity and ecological connectivity in terrestrial and marine planning, including conservation planning and especially actions on climate change mitigation and adaptation."
CBD Aichi Target 112010Aichi targets set for 2020 cover a host of areas including human wellbeing, poverty alleviation, and environment. No targets were met, and about 7% instead of 10% of oceans were protected as of 2020. Only 2.7% are highly protected.Target 11: Parties agreed to establish well-connected systems of protected areas integrated into wider landscapes and seascapes: The target outlines the need "By 2020, at least 17 percent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes."
CBD Aichi Target 52010Aichi targets set for 2020 cover a host of areas including human wellbeing, poverty alleviation, and environment. no targets were met, and only 25% of countries met the target.Target 5: "By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced." countries that made progress on this target, like Costa Rica, implemented connectivity considerations in their conservation planning.
World Heritage Convention Marine Programme2005The operational guidelines for the World Heritage Convention Marine Programme provide that listed sites may include property “representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.”The Marine Programme promotes the nomination of large-scale marine areas and MPA networks, including transboundary nominations. The action was intended to give increased attention to marine areas needing protection from such growing threats as overfishing, inappropriate fishing practices, coastal development and pollution. As part of the national initiative, it is important to develop (hand in hand with formal MPAs) the necessary policy and law tools to support management of marine connectivity conservation areas needed to sustain the MPAs and MPA network.
REDD+2005A program funded by developed countries for the conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.REDD+ programs increasingly include mangrove afforestation and conservation. Focus on mangrove protection creates co-benefits for biodiversity conservation, including connectivity conservation. "Afforestation and reforestation activities in the context of REDD+, if implemented appropriately and in respective areas, could enhance ecological connectivity, which is essential in the context of the adaptation of ecosystems and species to the negative impacts from climate change (SCBD/GIZ, 2011)."... "Spatial biodiversity data could inform REDD-plus design and planning to improve ecological connectivity in protected areas networks, and to optimize biodiversity benefits and increase permanence." REDD + serves as “an incentive to improve protected area management and provide connectivity between protected areas.”
International Maritime Organization (IMO): Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs)2005The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations "specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. ​IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping."authority to designate particularly sensitive sea areas (PSSAs) that need special protections because of their ecological, socio-economic, or scientific significance and the threat of damage by international shipping activities. Once a PSSA has been approved, the IMO has special measures it can take to control maritime activities in that area, such as routing, strict application of discharge restrictions and equipment requirements for ships such as oil tankers. A revission on PSSA guidelines was passed in 2005 in the IMO 24th Assembly.
Ramsar Convention Resolution Resolution 8.14, New guidelines for management planning for Ramsar sites and other wetlands2002"The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources." The Convention "uses a broad definition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans." This covers most coastal zones around the world.Resolution 8.14 places emphasis on "the need for wetland site management to be integrated with broad-scale landscape and ecosystem planning, including at the integrated river basin and coastal zone scale, because policy and planning decisions at these scales will affect the conservation and wise use of wetland sites." In addition, "successful management of wetland sites therefore requires maintenance of these sources of water. The interconnectedness of the hydrological cycle means that changes some distance from the wetland can have a detrimental impact."
International Maritime Organization (IMO): International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution (MARPOL)2001The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations "specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. ​IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping."MARPOL is a treaty under IMO that has authority to identify special sea areas. Special areas are those which require the adoption of mandatory measures to prevent sea pollution for technical reasons relating to their oceanographic and ecological condition and to their sea traffic. Under MARPOL, special areas are provided with a higher level of protection than other areas of the sea. Guidelines for designation of special areas under MARPOL were adopted by the IMO 22nd Assembly in 2001.
IUCN World Conservation Congress: Recommendation 1.38 Ecological networks and corridors of natural and semi- natural areas (Montreal, 2996)1996The World Conservation Congress brings together government, civil society, indigenous peoples, business, and academia, with the goal of conserving the environment and harnessing the solutions nature offers to global challenges.Recommendation 1.38 called IUCN Members to further develop ecological networks at national, regional and intercontinental levels: "recognizing the scientific underpinning from the field of conservation biology that emphasizes the importance of large bioregions in which national parks and other protected areas are linked by broad connecting habitat or conservation corridors to accommodate climate change impacts and wide-ranging species."
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: UN Fish Stocks Agreement1982The Law of the Sea Convention defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.This agreement requires states to protect biodiversity and the marine environment, and exploit and use the covered fisheries sustainably. While mostly relevant in the High Seas, some of its obligations and principles are explicitly extended to marine areas within national jurisdiction. It "provides a framework for cooperation in the conservation and management of those (fish) resources. It promotes good order in the oceans through the effective management and conservation of high seas resources by establishing, among other things, detailed minimum international standards for the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks; ensuring that measures taken for the conservation and management of those stocks in areas under national jurisdiction and in the adjacent high seas are compatible and coherent; ensuring that there are effective mechanisms for compliance and enforcement of those measures on the high seas; and recognizing the special requirements of developing States in relation to conservation and management as well as the development and participation in fisheries."
UN Convention Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)1982The Law of the Sea Convention defines the rights and responsibilities of nations with respect to their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.The treaty includes principles that provide legal context and support for marine connectivity conservation. Under the treaty, states should apply these principles to practice: science-based decision-making, environmental impact assessment ecosystem approach, prevention and precaution, and regional and global cooperation.
UNEP Regional Seas Agreements1974Regional Seas Agreements are regional mechanisms that engage neighboring countries in comprehensive and specific actions coordinated and implemented by countries sharing the common body of water. It is an "action-oriented program that implements region-specific activities, bringing together stakeholders including governments, scientific communities and civil societies." The agreements address the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas through the sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal environment.These agreements can aid in aligned marine resource and ecosystem management for at-risk populations that exist and or travel across marine jurisdictions. Setting protocols on protected areas, marine litter, combating oil spills, pollution from ships, transboundary movement of waste including their disposal, integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) and land-based sources of pollution (LBS) help progress connectivity, climate change adaptation, and sustainable consumption.