International And National Policies Concerning Marine And Coastal Biodiversity

Abstract

Mounting concern about the impacts of human activities on marine and coastal biodiversity is reflected in numerous international, regional and national policies. The past twenty years in particular have seen a rapid increase in the number of international instruments aimed at addressing the threats to marine and coastal biodiversity, and protecting, understanding and using marine resources sustainably (see Box 1). The most comprehensive and significant of these is the legally binding United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, the treaty came into force in December 1993 and has 175 member countries as parties (as of 15/1/99), including South Africa. Its three objectives, all of which have relevance to marine and coastal biodiversity, are: 1. the conservation of biological diversity; 2. the sustainable use of its components; and 3. the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.