Oceans and seas contribute approximately $3-6 trillion annually to the global economy in terms of the market value of goods and services including fisheries, energy, shipping, tourism, recreational, and mining sectors, as well as non-market ecosystem services such as climate regulation, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.

In the Yellow Sea, for instance, more than 200 million people live in areas around the Yellow Sea and there are several important port cities along its coastline. It is home to 321 fish species from 113 families, an important stop-over site for over 50 million migratory waterbirds, and a critical habitat for several endangered marine mammals. In China, the marine GDP of the coastal regions along the Yellow Sea was at CNY2.54 trillion in 2016. While in RO Korea, the GDP of its coastal regions along the Yellow Sea accounts for 37.6 percent of the country. .

Yet, the integrity of these ocean values and services is at significant risk. Human interference poses the biggest threat to oceans with increasing marine pollution coming from land-based activities, depleting fish stocks, habitat degradation and loss, agricultural wastes and other runoff, and increasing temperatures causing sea level rise, among others.

In support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 on Life Below Water, this year’s celebration of World Ocean Day highlights the need for “innovation for a sustainable ocean”.  This calls for transformation and innovation not just at the science or technological aspect, but also at political and socio-economic level, covering: ocean governance, policies, education, as well as financing and business processes.

Anchored on ecosystem-based principles, the UNDP/GEF Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) Phase II Project has been advancing innovations by facilitating research, best practices, integrated policies, new tools/technologies, and collaborative works to address key transboundary issues in the Yellow Sea. Some of these key innovations include:

• Operationalizing the Interim regional governance mechanism to oversee the implementation of the YSLME SAP 2009-2020;
• Implementation of sustainable maricultural practices (Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture, recirculating aquaculture systems, and detection and response systems to control diseases), and imposition of reduction of fishing vessels and seasonal fishing in support of fish stock recovery and improved livelihoods for fishermen;
• Addressing point sources and non-point sources of pollution through establishment of monitoring networks, and use of new technologies (vegetated swales or buffer strips, infiltration trenches, ecological ponds, etc.)
• Regular monitoring of marine litter and capacity building in microplastics monitoring , as well as implementation of buy-back programs, and operation of marine litter barges, use of biodegradable eco-friendly buoys, etc.;
• IT-enhanced monitoring of migratory waterbirds (use of mobile APPs, satellite tracking of spotted seals, etc.)
• Restoration of critical habitats that protect key aquatic species, migratory birds, and zone for nutrient recycling;
• Use of portable detection devices, design of land-based and sea- based ballast water exchange facilities, and treatment facilities to track and control invasive alien species in ballast water
• Innovative awareness and knowledge-building programs (MPA networking, Migratory bird information facilities, environmental awareness through arts and sports, etc.)

The different environmental and economic challenges that we currently face, including the continuing threats posed by the COVID-19 global pandemic is a wake-up call, reminding us of the need for change and innovation that is geared towards a healthy and sustainable environment for all.

We, at the YSLME, will continue to work on innovative solutions for the Yellow Sea region, in support of the global pledge that “no one will be left behind”, including our oceans.

Happy World Ocean Day!

The post Propelling Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Yellow Sea appeared first on YSLME.

The current global crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic is reminding all of us that “everything connects to everything else” and that one action can have ripple effects influencing and affecting another directly or indirectly.

The same is true even to birds and their habitats that are often taken for granted. Today, we are celebrating the World Migratory Bird Day under the global theme of “Birds Connect Our World”.

Each staging area during migration is integral for breeding, nesting, sustenance, and ultimately the survival of birds. In exchange, the staging areas or habitats benefit from migratory birds thru dispersal of propagules or nutrient cycling, pest control, as well as by providing recreation and even spiritual value.

The journey of migratory birds is long and daunting as it spans across continents and oceans. As such, each stage of their route is extremely crucial.

Sadly the populations of migratory birds, particularly of waterbird species, are in decline and many are threatened with extinction mainly as a result of human interference that led to habitat degradation, pollution, poaching, as well as climate change.

The rich tidal flats of the Yellow Sea serve as critical stopover or refueling sites for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), particularly for the Spoon-billed Sandpipers. This small wader is one of the world’s rarest waterbirds that is Critically Endangered. The threats posed by massive reclamation and wetland destruction in the Yellow Sea area have been major drivers to their decline.

But there is still hope for the Spoon-billed Sandpipers. With the combined efforts of the UNDP/GEF/UNOPS Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) Phase II Project, the governments of China and RO Korea, various NGO Partners and conservationist groups, several initiatives have been undertaken to save Spoon-billed Sandpipers and the remaining tidal flats of the Yellow Sea, including:

• Supporting efforts to understand the trends of globally and regionally important tidal flats and their integration into ecological redline scheme and marine spatial plans to avoid loss to reclamation and other development needs;
• Promoting the establishment of a permanent YSLME governance mechanism to facilitate the implementation of the YSLME Strategic Action Programme 2020-2030 to serve as the platform for collaboration between governments, academic, NGOs and international organizations in protecting migratory mammal and birds by establishing a network of marine protected areas in particular for Spotted Seals and Spoon-billed Sandpipers;
• Supporting the development of YSLME MPA Network and integrating migratory species conservation into the YSLME Biodiversity Conservation Plan 2020-2030;
• Providing technical support to local government to designate Rudong tidal flats as a marine protected area; and
• Building awareness from local level to regional level on the value of coastal wetlands and migratory birds and the urgency of their protection.

Indeed, “Birds Connect Our World” as the common commitment to save the Spoon-billed Sandpipers and their wetland habitats has connected various stakeholders not only in the Yellow Sea region but also in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

As we are all connected, by protecting the Spoon-billed Sandpipers and other migratory birds, as well as their habitats, we are also creating a healthy environment not only for birds, but ultimately for all of us.

From all of us in the YSLME, Happy World Migratory Bird Day!

The post Birds Connect Our World: Promoting Wetland Protection to Save Spoon-billed Sandpipers in the Yellow Sea Region appeared first on YSLME.