STATEMENT

Global Coalition of more than 100 Local Leaders and Mayors in Fishing Regions Back Protection of 30% of Global Oceans by 2030

A global network of mayors and local government leaders seeks to break down barrier between protection and economic development through greater protection of fish-rich waters

Geneva, Switzerland (23 March 2022)— Coastal community mayors and local government leaders from 8 countries have issued a statement calling for both the protection and responsible use of coastal waters, which they say benefit the world’s coastal habitats and many of the 500 million people worldwide who depend on fisheries for food and income. 

The statement asserts that by “combining local efforts to protect critical biodiversity with effective co-management for coastal fisheries, we can ensure food security, support the productive economy, safeguard livelihoods, and contribute to achieving national and global biodiversity targets including 30x30.”

The Coastal 500 group consists of over 110 mayors and other city-level leaders  from the countries of Brazil, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mozambique, Palau, and the Philippines.  

The statement comes as negotiators meet in Geneva to finalize the details of a global framework aimed to safeguard nature and stem biodiversity loss, due for approval later this year at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15). One of the key milestone targets of this framework is to protect 30% of global land and sea by 2030. 

The statement outlines a set of principles relating to the global framework and the 30x30 goal including:

• Prioritize biodiversity-rich territorial, coastal waters in determining protected areas to invest in and support;

• Implement networks of protected areas  recognizing the value of connectivity and locally-led Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs),

• Engage in an inclusive participation and ownership approach to ensure all voices are heard; and

• Instill behavior-centered design elements for biodiversity conservation ensuring longevity of interventions.

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About Coastal 500

The Coastal 500 is the largest global network of Mayors and local government leaders  committed to work towards thriving and prosperous coastal communities. They are united on  recovering and sustaining coastal seas, sharing best practices and key lessons worldwide. It  aims to help all members achieve sustainable fisheries that build community prosperity while  safeguarding the environment. 

About Campaign for Nature

The Campaign for Nature works with scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and a growing coalition of over 100 conservation organizations around the world who are calling on policymakers to commit to clear and ambitious targets to be agreed upon at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming, China in 2022 to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030 and working with Indigenous leaders to ensure full respect for Indigenous rights.