JOINT GROUP OF EXPERTS ON SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HOLDS THIRTY-FIRST SESSION

JOINT GROUP OF EXPERTS ON SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION HOLDS THIRTY-FIRST SESSION

Evaluate Group’s Impact, Role in Assessment of Marine Environment

An in-depth evaluation of the work of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) was among the topics dealt with by GESAMP at its recently concluded thirty-first session, held at Headquarters from 13 to 17 August.

In this context, the Group also evaluated its role and accomplishments in preparing global assessments of the state of the marine environment.

The GESAMP is an expert scientific advisory body established in 1968 to provide scientific advice concerning the prevention, reduction and control of the degradation of the marine environment.  Such advice is presented to the eight sponsoring agencies of GESAMP -– the United Nations, through the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)/Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission; Food and Agriculture Organization; World Meteorological Organization; International Maritime Organization; World Health Organization; and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In addition to providing scientific advice, GESAMP’s other main purpose was to prepare periodic reviews and assessments of the state of the marine environment and to identify problem areas requiring special attention.

In-depth Evaluation of GESAMP

In May 2000, the United Nations sponsoring agencies of GESAMP agreed to carry out an independent and in-depth evaluation of the achievements of GESAMP, its impact, scope, membership, working methods and future role.  Such an evaluation was envisioned as a preliminary step prior to the formulation of proposals for a possible new United Nations Memorandum of Understanding on GESAMP.

The evaluation was carried out by an independent evaluation team which examined, among other things, the degree to which GESAMP had fulfilled its goals and objectives, and whether there was a need for GESAMP or a similar expert group under the United Nations umbrella.

In its report, the evaluation team presented a number of recommendations, including a strong preference for the continuation of GESAMP itself.  The implementation of those recommendations, according to the report, would result in GESAMP becoming the world’s first choice for marine environment protection advice and guidance.

The recommendations include increasing the profile and visibility of GESAMP through an overall promotional and marketing plan, the establishment of closer links between the Group and governments, and a revision of the goals and objectives of the Group.

The GESAMP Evaluation Team concluded that the United Nations, its Member States and other organizations require an effective, efficient and independent group to provide advice on issues relating to marine environmental protection and management and sustainable development of marine resources and amenities based on sound scientific principles.

Assessment of Marine Environment

Over the years, one of the most substantial contributions of GESAMP has been its periodic review and assessment of the state of the marine environment.  In addition, the Group has produced some 41 substantive reports on specific topics ranging from “pollution studies” to coastal modeling and the contribution of science to integrated coastal management.

In its most recent assessment, A Sea of Troubles (GESAMP reports and studies, No. 70), GESAMP concluded that the world’s seas and oceans continued to deteriorate and that most of the problems identified decades ago had not been resolved, and may indeed be worsening.  An explosive growth in coastal cities, increased tourism, the expansion of fish farming, the development of ports and flood control measures were identified as among the many pressures facing coastal areas that had suffered the steepest declines and ecological damage.

In the context of its role in the periodic global assessment of the state of the marine environment, GESAMP, at this session, examined a proposal by UNEP aimed at exploring the feasibility of establishing a regular process for the assessment of the state of the marine environment that would draw on, among other things, ongoing assessment programmes such as those undertaken by GESAMP, as well as on the active involvement of governments and regional agreements.

In this connection, GESAMP noted that the status of GESAMP as a source of agreed, independent and scientific advice had been acknowledged by the Commission on Sustainable Development, and that the preparation of global environmental assessments was central to the GESAMP mission.  Moreover, GESAMP also noted that the conduct of such assessments was essentially a scientific exercise, requiring, however, intergovernmental involvement in the design and review phases.

The GESAMP also noted that its Marine Environmental Assessment (MEA) Working Group had concluded that there were currently a number of technical, financial and policy barriers that, until resolved, precluded any substantive improvements in the quality, relevance and reliability of comprehensive global reports.  Indeed,

the paper concludes, major improvements in the planning and management of assessments should be sought before any new comprehensive global assessments were initiated.  The Group strongly supported all efforts to improve communication between scientists and government policy-makers, especially insofar as it may lead to improvements in the currency, relevance and utility of marine environmental assessments.

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