Expanding programmes on marine environmental quality

Improving quality of marine environment

Description

Expanding programmes on marine environmental quality involves implementing coordinated actions to monitor, assess, and improve the health of marine ecosystems. This strategy focuses on strengthening pollution control, enhancing data collection, promoting sustainable resource use, and supporting restoration initiatives. By addressing sources of marine degradation—such as chemical runoff, plastic waste, and habitat destruction—these programmes aim to safeguard biodiversity, ensure safe seafood, and maintain ecosystem services vital for coastal communities and global environmental stability.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends establishing systematic observation systems to measure marine environmental quality, including causes and effects of marine degradation, as a basis for management.